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MY FIRST CAMPAIGN 



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BOSTON: 

WRIGHT & POTTER, PRINTERS, i SPRIXG LANE. 

1863. 



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PEEFAOE. 



At the earnest request of many of my comrades of 
the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, I am induced to 
publish this narrative, which, with very little addition or 
alteration, I have copied entire from my private journal. 
This was written under many disadvantages during a 
campaign of unusual hardships and privations. Hoping 
it mgey prove of use, as a reference, to many of my com- 
panions, who from the very nature of the campaign, 
found it impossible to keep a record, is the only apology 
I have to offer for publishing a work of this nature. 

Diamond Hill, R. I., August, 18G3. 



MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 



CHAPTER I. 

On the 16tli day of September, 1862, the 
author of this, narrative was duly enlisted as a 
volunteer in the service of the United States ; 
and, on the 22d of the same month, reported 
at Camp Stevens, Providence, R-. I., for duty. 
At this place, the Twelfth Regiment Rhode 
Island Volunteers was organized ; and in this 
city, on the 13th day of October, 1862, it was 
mustered into the service of the United States, 

for a period of nine months. 

As a member of this regiment, your sub- 
scriber was duly elected, and from the 13th of 
October, 1862, until the 29th of July, 1863, 
was known as J. W. Grant, private. Company 
F, Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers. 
Our regiment was under the command of 
Colonel George H. Browne, and as yet no 
1* 



6 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

lieutenant-colonel or major had been assigned 
us. The following were the company officers : 

Comjmny A. — Captain, Edward S. Cheney; 1st Lieu- 
tenant, ; 2d Lieutenant, John S. Koberts. 

Co7npany B. — Captain, James M. Longstreet; 1st 
Lieutenant, Oscar Lapham ; 2d Lieutenant, Albert W. 
Delanah. 

Com^mny C. — Captain, James H. All-en; 1st Lieu- 
tenant, Jales Macharet; 2d Lieutenant, Mathew M. 
Chappell. 

Comjmny D. — Captain, George C. Almy; 1st Lieu- 
tenant, William H. King; 2d Lieutenant, George H. 
Tabor. 

Company E. — Captain, John J. Phillips ; 1st Lieu- 
tenant, George F. Bicknell ; 2d Lieutenant, Christopher 
H. Alexander. 

Company F. — Captain, William E. Hubbard ; 1st Lieu- 
tenant, George F. Lawton ; 2d Lieutenant, George 
Bucklin. 

Company G. — Captain, ; 1st Lieutenant, Wil- 
liam C. Rogers ; 2d Lieutenant, James Bowen. 

Company H. — Captain, Oliver H. Perry ; 1st Lieu- 
tenant, ; 2d Lieutenant, Edward P. Butts, Jr. 

Company I. — Captain, George A. Spink; 1st Lieu- 
tenant, Stephen M. Hopkins ; 2d Lieutenant, Munson H. 
Najac. 

Company K. — Captain, ; 1st Lieutenant, Ed- 
mund W. Fales ; 2d Lieutenant, James M. Pendleton. 

John L. Clark, of Cumberland, was appointed Quarter- 
master, and John Turner, of Bristol, Adjutant. 



JOURNAL. 7 

On the 21st day of October, at six o'clock, 
P. M., the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers 
formed for its last parade, on Camp Stevens, 
and at seven, P. M., of the same day we were 
aboard the cars, and hurrying on our way 
671 route for Washington, by way of New York 
and Baltimore. 

We reached Groton at half-past nine, went 
aboard the steamer Plymouth Rock at this 
place, and at eleven were moving down the 
Sound. 

It was rather an unpleasant night ; the wind 
blew fresh from the south, rolling up the clouds 
in heavy masses, with every appearance of its 
raining immediately. However, at daybreak, 
the wind changed to the north-west, the clouds 
began to disperse, and at sunrise the sky was 
perfectly clear. 

Just beyond Hurl Gate we passed the steamer 
Great Eastern lying at anchor, and had as good 
a view of her as we could desire to have. She 
appears to be a beautifully modelled vessel, of 
tremendous size and power. 

We arrived in Jersey City at eight, A. M. 
Disembarking from the Plymouth Rock, we 
reembarked on the steamer Kill Yon Hull, 
and at ten, A. M., were steaming towards 



8 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

Elizabethport, the wind blowing a gale, dead 
ahead. Passed by Staten Island, which by the 
way is one of the most beautiful places I have 
ever seen. The land rises from the bay to a 
very great height, and is covered with groves 
of beautiful trees, interspersed with houses 
here and there. I should think, from the 
appearance of Staten Island, that it must be a 
delightful place. As we sailed along, close by 
the shore, the people came from the houses to 
salute us, waving flags and handkerchiefs ; in 
the groves and upon the house-tops we saw and 
heard them cheering us. We arrived at Eliza- 
bethport about twelve o'clock. I should think 
it to be a place of some importance as a depot 
for the shipment of coal, there being every 
convenience in the line of railways and wharfs. 
It is a small place, however, nothing doing 
except in connection with the coal trade. We 
started from this place at three, P. M., en route 
for Baltimore, by way of Harrisburg. The soil 
at Elizabethport, and all the way through New 
Jersey, by rail to Phillipsburg, Penn., is a red- 
dish brown clay, and for the first twenty-five 
miles beyond Elizabethport the country appears 
quite monotonous, a vast level plain, with here 
and there a shrub, and a few houses, but no 



JOURNAL. 9 

good farms. The only fruit trees I saw worth 
mentioning were quinces ; these were of large 
size, and many of them were loaded down with 
fruit. I should suppose this road ran through 
the most barren part of Jersey, as I could see 
uo signs of thrift and industry. 

Upon entering Phillipsburg we came upon a 
most beautiful country, abounding in hills and 
valleys, covered with forest trees, with here and 
there an excellent farm. The hills are high 
and smooth — -no rocks to be seen upon the sur- 
face — thereby affording some of the finest situa- 
tions for farming I ever saw. The scenery is 
most beautiful all the way through Pennsyl- 
vania on this line. In consequence of the 
unevenness of the surface through this part of 
the country, the railroad cuts are very frequent 
and extensive, some of them extending for a 
mile or more, and so deep that we could hardly 
see the top of the bank from the car window. 
The road, also, of necessity crosses ravines, 
some of them one hundred and fifty feet in 
depth. We arrived at Phillipsburg at five 
o'clock, P. M. ; halted the trains, filled can- 
teens, and relieved four or five apple trees of 
two or three bushels of fruit. Stopped at 
Phillipsburg until after dark, to allow trains of 



10 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

coal to pass, this being the great thoroughfare 
over which vast quantities of coal pass to 
EHzabethport, from the coal districts of Penn- 
sylvania. After starting from Phillipsburg we 
moved along very slow, stopping often, and 
passing frequently tremendous long trains of 
coal, drawn by powerful locomotives, two loco- 
motives attached to many of the trains. 

We arrived at Easton at nine o'clock Wed- 
nesday evening. Here I saw canal boats run- 
ning for the first time, passing and repassing 
one another, and learned we were upon the 
Schuylkill River, — and crossed this beautiful 
stream immediately after leaving this place. 

After leaving Easton, we slept in the cars, as 
well as we could. Passed through Eeading in 
the night, and the next morning found our- 
selves close by, and at sunrise entered Harris- 
burg, the capital of Pennsylvania. It is not a 
very large place, but it is pleasantly situated, 
the neighborhood abounding in beautiful scen- 
ery. Stopped at this place, got out of the cars, 
crossed the canal, and formed in line ; called 
the roll in the streets of Harrisburg, went 
immediately aboard of the cars again, — and, 
after a series of running ahead and backs, into 
and out of the depot, finally started, changing 



JOURNAL. 11 

direction for Baltimore. The bridge crossing 
the Susquehamia at this place is a very fine 
structure ; I should think it to be nearly a 
mile in length, and crosses the river at a height 
of nearly seventy feet above the surface of the 
water. The road lay close by the river for a 
long distance, affording us a fine view of this 
celebrated stream. I looked forward, with a 
great deal of interest, to the time of crossing 
the line into Maryland, expecting to see quite 
a change in the looks of things upon entering 
a slave state, judging from what I had heard. 
We crossed the line about twelve o'clock, and 
I found myself agreeably disappointed in the 
appearance of things. Instead of seeing an 
abundance of negroes I hardly saw one. The 
houses are small and cheaply built, most of 
them, as they are indeed all the way from New 
York, but I could see no difference in the 
people ; all I saw, on the whole route from 
New York, were not as well dressed, or as neat 
in appearance as they are in New England. 
The scenery, all the way to Baltimore, con- 
tinued to be most beautiful, and the country 
appears to be well adapted, in all respects, to 
farming operations. I saw quite extepsive 
fields of corn in Maryland and Pennsylvania ; 



12 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

the corn was being carried outside of the fields, 
to be husked there, most of it, I should think, 
as I saw men busy in many places stripping off 
the husks and carrying it away. They manage 
to get their corn off in time to sow the same 
piece to grain. Several of the fields were 
already cleared of the corn, the grains sown 
and already up two and three inches high. 
There seems to a New Englander a great lack 
of barns and other outbuildings in these States, 
but with the crops they raise perhaps they are 
not necessary. 

We journeyed along very slow after leaving 
Harrisburg, stopping often for wood and water, 
also for trains to pass by us, &c. The road we 
found to be strictly guarded, long before we 
came to Baltimore, passing company after 
company on picket duty along the road, who 
cheered as we went past. Feeling our way 
along, we came into Baltimore just at dark, 
Thursday evening, the 23d. Got out of the 
cars, the regiment was formed, and we pro- 
ceeded through the streets of this city to our 
resting place for the night. Halted at the 
general rendezvous for soldiers long enough to 
take refreshments ; sat down, un slung knap- 
sacks, and commenced our supper, which con- 



JOURNAL. 13 

sistcd of coffee, white bread, beef, ham, tongue, 
sour krout, &c. Slung knapsacks, went from 
there to the depot, unslung knapsacks again, 
and camped for the night upon the depot floor. 
Drums beat at six o'clock, A. M., the 24th, for 
roll call; tumbled out of bed — the regiment 
was formed, and we went to breakfast, at the 
same place where we took supper the night 
before, which was but a short distance from 
the depot. After breakfast we marched back, 
formed in line in front of the depot; rested 
there until ten o'clock, then marched 
through the principal streets of the city ; 
visited Washington Monument, a beautiful 
structure of white marble, surmounted by a 
statue of the Great Chieftain. Halted to rest 
around the base ; then marched back, visiting 
the monument erected to the memory of those 
who fell at Fort McHenry in 1812, and formed 
in line where we started from, to wait and 
take the cars for Washington. Baltimore is 
indeed a fine place — no wonder the rebels 
envy us the possession of it. I saw some 
splendid buildings in the Monumental city. 

We finally got aboard of the cars, and 
started for Washington, at five, P. M. Just 
before dark passed the " Relay Station," where 

2 



14 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

the Massachusetts Eighth were encamped in 
1861. Passed picket after picket, guarding 
the road, their camp fires burning, lighting us 
up as we passed along, and finally reached the 
great capital, at eleven, P. M. We proceeded 
immediately to our quarters, unslung knap- 
sacks, then marched about forty rods to the 
" Soldiers' Retreat," where we took supper ; 
then marched to our quarters, and at one 
o'clock, A. M., turned in. At half-past six we 
arose to look about us. It was indeed a pleas- 
ant morning, the sun was shining brightly, 
and every thing betokened a pleasant day. 
The first object that struck my eye was 
the Capitol, not more than quarter of a mile 
distant. It is yet unfinished, but nearer com- 
pletion tlian I supposed it to be from what I 
had heard. At nine, A. M., with a few others, 
I went inside ; stopped in the rotunda a while, 
to look at the paintings, and then passed up a 
flight of marble steps leading into the right 
wing of the building, to get a view of the 
House of Representatives. We passed through 
entrys, and by reception rooms, the floors of 
which were of " stone mosaic," looking to all 
appearances like beautiful carpeting. The ceil- 
ing overhead was supported by marble pillars 



JOURNAL. 15 

of exquisite design and finish, situated just 
inside of niches in the walls. The " House of 
Representatives " is a magnificent room, en- 
tirely beyond my powers of description. From 
thence we proceeded to the rotunda, and en- 
tered the left wing of the building by a flight 
of stairs, corresponding with those we had just 
left, the style of finish being the same along 
the whole passage as of that leading to the 
House, in the other wing. This passage leads 
to the " Senate Chamber.'^ This room is some- 
what different from that of the House, but 
rather plainer in its general appearance. The 
pillars supporting the galleries and ceiling are 
very numerous, of Egyptian marble, or some- 
thing similar in appearance. The walls and 
arches overhead are covered with frescoe paint- 
ings, of great beauty and variety. We had 
but a short time allowed us to visit this place, 
and consequently did not see but a small por- 
tion of it. I had understood, that apart from 
the Capitol, the city was a miserable looking 
place. I do not see it in that light. There is 
certainly a great deal to do — a great deal yet 
unfinished — but it is certainly more of a place 
than it has been represented to be. A few 
years more and this will be a beautiful city ; 



16 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

the present war already begins to tell upon it. 
The business doing here necessarily in carrying 
on this war is creating a stimulus ; buildings 
are going up, improvements are being made, 
and men of real business talent are encouraged 
to come here. The ball is set in motion, and 
this place, in a few years, will present a far 
different appearance from what it does at the 
present time. 

I was hoping we might stop in Washington 
two or three days, but was disappointed. At 
eleven o'clock Saturday, the 25th, we formed 
in line, passed in front of the Capitol, down 
Pennsylvania Avenue, turned off to the right 
in the direction of Long Bridge, passed Wash- 
ington Monument, leaving it to the left of us, 
and forming in line opposite General Casey's 
head-quarters, to whose division we were as- 
signed, gave him three hearty cheers, and at 
twelve o'clock passed on to Long Bridge, and 
into Dixie. 

The Potomac is very broad and shallow at 
this place, except in the channel. It has the 
appearance of the flats on the sea coast, the 
water being but about six inches or a foot deep 
at the time of our crossing, showing a smooth, 
muddy bottom, covered with weeds, &q. After 



JOURNAL. 17 

crossing, we proceeded about a mile up a hill, 
and came to a halt upon a plain. It was quite 
a warm, dusty day, and a rest at this time was 
very acceptable to us. Stopped half an hour, 
started again, proceeded about a mile farther, 
filed to the right, and forming our camp upon 
an eminence within sight of the ttome of the 
Capitol, we pitched our tents, Saturday night, 
just in time to shelter us from the rain, which 
the next day (Sunday the 26th) commenced 
pouring in torrents, and continued through the 
day and night. 

We had twenty-two in our tent Sunday 
night ; two of them slept immediately in the 
centre of the tent, just under the " cap." This 
" cap " is a circular piece of cloth (peculiar to 
the " Sibley Tent ") ingeniously contrived for 
the purpose of ventilation ; it is easily moved 
by means of ropes which hang upon the out- 
side, and the aperture which it covers can be 
made larger or smaller, at the pleasure of the 
occupants. As it happened it blew a gale in 
the night, and the ''cap" not being properly 
fastened on, blew off, and the rain came down 

upon T n and J s, who turned out in 

the morning in rather a dilapidated condi- 
tion. 

2* 



18 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

Monday the 27th the storm blew over ; at 
noon the sun came out ; we dried our blankets, 
and Tuesday, the 28th, re-pitched our tents in 
regular order. 

Sunday, November 2d, we received orders 
to move. Packed knapsacks, and at eleven, 
A. M., bade farewell to " Camp Chase," filed 
out into the road, and turning to the right, 
passed on up a hill, and continued on in the 
direction of Fairfax. Passed the Seminary 
buildings at twelve, M. These buildings, so 
often spoken of in connection with this rebel- 
lion, are built of brick, with some pretension 
to beauty in their architecture ; connected 
with the main building is a fine looking tower, 
from the summit of which the country can be 
seen for many miles around. Upon an emi- 
nence, and almost hidden from view by the 
thick grove of trees surrounding them, they 
stand objects of interest to all acquainted 
with the history of this war. Six miles to the 
north of here, and partly in view, is the capi- 
tal, from which place the course of the Potomac 
can be discerned for many miles, as it bears 
away to the south and east of us. 

Leaving this place we descended a hill, and 
passed the Common, which is a short distance 



journal; 19 

south-east of the Seminary. This Common is 
now used as a burial place for soldiers. Each 
grave has a neat wooden slab, with the name 
of the deceased, the regiment and company to 
which he belonged painted upon it. Con- 
tinuing along one-half a mile farther, we filed 
to the right up a steep hill, and at two, P. M., 
formed our camp again, and pitched our tents 
upon the top of it, on a level space directly 
between two large houses, the owners of which 
are now in the rebel army, having left this 
beautiful situation to be occupied by our 
troops, and their houses to be used as hospitals, 
for the comfort of our sick and wounded sol- 
diers. The road from " Fairfax Seminary " 
passed along close by, on the side of the hill, 
our camp facing it towards the east. The city 
of Alexandria is one and a half miles to the 
east of us, and partly in view. The great 
highway from Alexandria to " Fairfax Court 
House," and Manassas, passed our camp, run- 
ning east and west, not more than fifty rods 
south of us, at right angles with the road 
passing from the north, and connecting with it. 
This road was lined with ambulances, bag- 
gage wagons, &c., going to and from Alexan- 
dria, Fairfax Court House and Manassas, in 



20 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

the vicinity of wliicli a portion of our army 
were at that time encamped. The railroad 
from Alexandria to Manassas was half a mile 
to the south of us in the valley, and ran par- 
allel with the wagon road for two miles — then 
bore away farther to the south, as it rose the 
hills beyond. The trains were running night 
and day, carrying reinforcements and stores to 
our army. These roads were in full view of 
our camp for three or four miles. We could 
see the trains as they started from Alexandria, 
and could watch them as they continue their 
journey far to the west of us. The level 
space on the top of this hill covers an area of 
perhaps six or seven acres, of an irregular 
shape. Our tents were pitched upon the south- 
ern point, and those of another regiment upon 
the northern part of the space, at an elevation 
of perhaps two hundred feet above the level of 
the Potomac, which flows along in full view of 
us. 

Across a deep valley to the north-west, and 
perhaps half a mile distant, was Fort Worth, 
and to the south of this fort, upon the wagon 
road, were '' Cloud's Mills," so often spoken of 
during this rebellion. 

The descent of the hill, towards the south 



JOURNAL. 21 

and west was very steep. Its side was covered 
with springs, which afforded us plenty of 
water ; and at the bottom of the valley, to the 
west, was a fine stream, running towards the 
south, originating in a spring at the foot of the 
hill, south of the Seminary buildings. The 
Seminary, Fort Worth, and our camp, were all 
on about the same elevation, forming half of a 
circle — the Seminary at the north, our camp 
on the south-eastern, and Fort Worth on the 
south-western point. Taking into considera- 
tion the surroundings and associations con- 
nected with the situation, I think we could not 
have chosen a more pleasant or interesting 
place for our camp. 

Monday, November 3d, the next day after 
forming our camp, we packed haversacks, and 
had our first experience in picket duty, our 
Company and Company G being detailed for 
that purpose. At half-past eight we filed down 
the hill, turned to the right, on the road to 
Manassas ; passed " Cloud's Mills " at nine, 
A. M., and continued on as far as " Bailey's 
Cross Roads," a place become familiar to us all 
in the history of this war. At this place we 
stopped, and fixed our quarters ; posting our 
pickets along the road. We were fortunate in 



22 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

having pleasant weather while we were upon 
this duty. 

The next day, at eleven, A. M., the reserve 
formed in line to receive the " New Guard," 
and at twelve o'clock we started for camp. 
Stopped when within half a mile, and dis- 
charged our pieces, which were heavily loaded 
with ball and buckshot, and at two, P. M., 
arrived again in camp, bringing in two pris- 
oners, who by the way, however, proved to be 
loyal soldiers, without passes. 

Our camp was named " Camp Casey, near 
Fairfax Seminary," and we, with three other 
regiments, were encamped close to one other, 
formerly the first brigade of General Casey's 
Division, commanded by Colonel Wright, acting 
Brigadier-General. Our regiment was en- 
gaged in drilling, doing fatigue, picket and 
guard duty, which kept us busy. Fifty of 
our regiment were detailed November 7th to 
do fatigue duty in Fort Blenker, digging, 
shovelling, &o. The boys going out, came in at 
ten, A. M., driven in by the storm which was 
raging there. It commenced storming the 
6th, and at ten, A. M.,the next day it had cul- 
minated into an old-fashioned New England 
snow storm. The wind blew a gale ; the air 



JOURNAL. 23 

was very cold, and the snow, whirling about 
us, made our situation very uncomfortable, 
especially to those who were on guard, and 
exposed to its fury. B. was the only one from 
D. H. happening to be on guard, except W. S., 
who volunteered to take another man's place 
for 11.25. I think he earned his money. 



24 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 



CHAPTER II. 

The snow storm of November 7th came 
upon us quite unexpectedly, leading us to 
think we had journeyed in the wrong direc- 
tion, and instead of being in " Dixie " had 
approached the north pole, and were already in 
the immediate vicinity of it. There were some 
wry faces about the camp, though most seemed 
amused at this unlooked for event, joking 
among themselves at the idea of making 
snowballs in Virginia before Rhode Islanders 
could get the necessary material — " enlisting 
under false pretences," &c. 

From November 8th to the 12th, nothing of 
unusual interest occurred, our time being taken 
up in drill, and in other necessary duties con- 
nected with camp-life. November 13th, the 
entire regiment was ordered to be in readiness 
the following •morning, for picket duty, with 
two days' rations. The appearance of the sky, 
the night of the 12th, was threatening, making 
us already feel, in imagination, the discomforts 
of this duty in a storm, with no other shelter 



JOURNAL. 25 

but the broad canopy of the heavens, except- 
ing, perhaps, a paltry one of bushes, affording 
indeed but little protection from the pitiless 
storm. 

The morning of the 13th came ; the roll of 
drums at six o'clock, aroused many a drowsy 
soldier of the Twelfth from his humble couch, 
and interrupted many a pleasant dream of 
home, to awake him to the stern reality of 
other duties and associations. It did, indeed, 
rain in the night, which proved a benefit to us, 
raining just enough to lay the dust. The 
morning broke upon us with the assurance of 
a pleasant day. With cheerful hearts and wil- 
ling liands, we began our preparations. We 
took breakfast at the usual hour, half-past 
seven, filled our haversacks with beef and hard 
crackers, our canteens with water, strapped our 
blankets about us, buckled on our equipments, 
and at eight o'clock, formed in line in the 
Company Street, and at half-past eight, the 
different companies passed Gen. Wright's 
head-quarters. The regiment was formed for 
" guard-mounting," directly in front of his res- 
idence, went through the manoeuvres, listened 
to the music from the Brigade Band, (which, 
by the way, discoursed finely,) and at quarter 



26 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

to nine, filed into the road, and taking the 
direction of Fairfax Court House, were fairly 
on our way. Every thing was favorable ; a cool 
breeze from the north-west, adding to our com- 
fort, as we " marched along." We were ac- 
companied by nearly all our officers, a few 
being left behind, as is customary, to protect 
our camp. After passing Cloud's Mills, and 
ascending the hill beyond, we came to a halt, 
and the regiment was divided into parties of 
108 privates, each division to be commanded 
by their respective officers. These divisions 
are called " supports," and numbered first, 
second, third, &c. 

As soon as our " support " was formed, we 
continued our march. Passed the road leading 
to Bailey's Cross Roads, kept along on the 
direct road to Fairfax Court House, for about 
a mile beyond this turn, then filing to the left, 
entered the woods, followed a cart-path for 
about half a mile, and at eleven, A. M., found 
ourselves at the end of our journey. There 
were plenty of good shelters where we were to 
encamp, already erected by those there before 
us,* and gladly vacated by the Twenty-Seventh 
New Jersey, who turned out to receive us upon 
our arrival. Our " support " was immediately 



JOURNAL. 27 

divided into three " reliefs," of 36 men each. 
Each " relief" to stay on four hours, the first 
going on to be relieved by the second, &c., giv- 
ing each " relief" eight hours rest at the gen- 
eral rendezvous. The " reliefs " were arranged 
in two ranks, and numbered as they stood, 
from right to left, each man to remember the 
number assigned him, and when called upon, 
place himself in the ranks accordingly. I 
found myself in the first " relief," number 21, 
armed and equipped as the law directs. 

As soon as our " relief" was formed, we 
started for our posts, marched back to the road 
we had just left, continued on half a mile far- 
ther, and came upon Post No. 1. This post 
was on the main road, and close by the ruins 
of what was once a large building, destroyed, 
probably, since the war commenced, nothing 
being left now but a mass of brick and stone. 
Upon relieving this post, we left the road, which 
here runs nearly east and west, and struck 
across the fields towards the south, for Post 
No. 2. 

The posts were perhaps thirty rods apart ; 
three men being stationed on each post, and 
one sergeant or corporal, in charge of every 
three posts. The first three men, as numbered 



28 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

in the ranks before starting from the rendez- 
vous, to take the first post, the next three the 
second, &c. The orders were for one man to 
remain at the post, while the other two were 
to move to and from the post, in opposite direc- 
tions, a certain distance, or perhaps farther, 
occasionally, if the sentinel from the posts 
adjoining, should fail to meet him at the end 
of his beat, thereby keeping up communication 
throughout the entire line. The men to have 
their pieces loaded, and bayonets fixed, with 
particular instructions to be on the alert, to 
build no fires, light no matches, smoke, nor 
indulge in loud conversation. 

The line of pickets ran nearly north and 
south, the first " support " being on the right 
of the line, commenced in the vicinity of 
Bailey's Cross Roads, and connected with the 
second " support," at Post No. 1. The line of 
our " support " ran from the main road, to- 
wards the railroad, the distance between the 
two, at this place, being perhaps one and a 
half miles, our " support" reaching two-thirds 
of the way to the railroad, there to connect 
with the third, and so on to the last " support," 
our regiment guarding a line of several miles 
in length. Our path led over level spaces, up 



JOURNAL. 29 

and clo^Yll hills steep as the roof of a house, 
along side hills where it required the greatest 
care to preserve our equilibrium, through tan- 
gled thickets of bush and brier, and over every 
conceivable obstacle in the shape of stump, 
stone, bog, &c. The place falling to my lot, 
to help guard for the next forty-eight hours, 
was Post No. 7, just in the edge of a grove of 
small evergreen trees, on the side of a hill, 
overlooking what must have been once a large 
farm, situated in a valley opening to the south, 
and enclosed on three sides by woods. Our 
post was on the eastern side of this clearing ; 
the hill on the opposite side, rising to about 
the same height, was covered with a heavy 
growth of timber, affording a good shelter for 
sharpshooters, if they had happened to have 
been in the vicinity, and had been disposed to 
annoy us. The distance across this clearing 
being about one-third of a mile, a good dis- 
tance for rifle practice. 

This clearing was perhaps fifty rods in width, 
and nearly one-third of a mile in length, 
bounded on the north by a swamp, and opening 
to the south upon a vast plain of bog, with 
here an(^ there a bunch of stunted trees or 
bushes. Quite a large stream issues from this 



30 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

swamp, and runs the entire length of the farm, 
emptying into a larger one, which runs into 
the Potomac, along the valley through which 
the railroad runs from Alexandria to Manassas. 
The ruins of a large farm-house lay in the 
valley to the left of us. I will not omit a 
description of the "beat" over which your 
humble servant kept watch and ward, until 
every foot of ground became familiar to him. 
The path alongside this clearing had been lately 
cut through, without much regard to conven- 
ience of travelling, or risk of life or limb, the 
stumps sticking up invariably from three to 
six inches from the ground, requiring the 
utmost care on our part, especially in the night 
time, or the privilege of trying, if we chose, 
the sharpness of these stubs, upon various parts 
of our body, or the hardness of our heads 
against the trees by the wayside, experiments 
in tripping and plunging not likely to find 
favor with your humble servant. 

We were very fortunate in having pleasant 
weather again for this duty. We took our 
posts at twelve, unslung our blankets, haver- 
sacks and canteens, and loaded our pieces. 
We were relieved at four o'clock, and arrived 
at the rendezvous in time to make our coffee 



JOURNAL. 31 

before dark, eat our supper, spread our blan- 
kets and turn in. 

Slept soundly, and at midnight, when we 
were again called upon, marclied to our posts, 
to remain there till four o'clock. The night 
was warm and pleasant ; the moon was just 
rising as we took our posts, which made our 
duty much easier ; our four hours passed 
quickly by, we were relieved again, and at 
half-past four were again at the rendezvous. 
We had anticipated having another nap before 
breakfast, and were getting ready to turn in, 
when we were ordered to form in line and stand 
until sunrise. Our colonel represented it as 
necessary, to guard against surprise ; as the 
enemy usually make attacks at this hour — a 
watchfulness much to be commended, in the 
vicinity of the enemy, but as our picket was of 
importance only as a guard to intercept desert- 
ers and stragglers from our army in front, we, 
with our sleepy eyes, could not see the point. 
Many of the men, without much deference to 
the opinion of our brave colonel, thought it 
simply ridiculous; some cursed, others laughed 
and joked. I did not regret losing my nap, as 
I was amply repaid, listening to the witticisms 
of the party. Morning broke at last, and we 



32 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

were relieved. We kindled our fires anew, 
made our coffee, and after breakfast some of 
tis turned in to sleep ; others played cards, or 
amused themselves as they chose, until twelve, 
when we took our posts again. The weather 
continued fine, and we passed the time 
pleasantly. 

Another night passed ; another pleasant day 
opened upon us, nothing remarkable occurring 
in connection with our duties, unless we except 
a visit from General Casey, who rode along the 
line, accompanied by his staff, on a tour of 
inspection. At eleven o'clock, A. M., the 
15th, we formed in line to receive the new 
guard, and by twelve our last relief was in, 
and we started for camp. We reached it 
about two, P. M., all of us in good spirits ; 
found our dinner of soup and hot coffee wait- 
ing for us, to which we immediately paid our 
respects. 

The next morning, Sunday, the 16th, we 
cleaned ovir muskets, brushed our clothes, and 
at eleven, A. M., attended divine service, 
the chaplain holding forth from the steps of 
the building which adjoins our camp on the 
north, the regiment forming on the lawn in 
front. This building is very large, and is now 



JOURNAL. 33 

used by the colonel, he taking up his quarters 
there, the post-office, hospital and quartermas- 
ter's department being included in the same 
building ; giving our field and staff plenty of 
room and good accommodations. 

Monday, the 17th, was not as pleasant ; 
quite a strong wind from the south-west, 
cloudy and misty, making it rather hard to 
turn out and drill. Tuesday, the 18th, was a 
complete pattern of the 17th ; a thick fog, just 
enough to make it unpleasant ; drilled through 
the day, however, and at dress parade had 
orders to be in readiness the following morning 
to march to Fort Albany, to be reviewed by 
General Casey. 

The wind continued blowing strong from 
the south through the night, and the next 
morning the black, heavy clouds rolling up, 
showed certain signs of a wet day. At eight 
o'clock the company formed in the street, 
marched on to the parade ground ; the regi- 
ment was formed, and at half-past eight filed 
into the road and started on our journey. 
Stopped opposite General Wright's head-quar- 
ters for the other regiments to take their place 
in line, it being a review of the whole brigade. 



34 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

At quarter before nine the Fifth Connec- 
ticut came in ahead, the Thirteenth New 
Hampshire formed in the rear, and we started 
on. After proceeding two miles, the order 
was countermanded, and we hurried back just 
in time to escape a drenching rain, which 
poured in torrents immediately after our 
arrival in camp. The government having fur- 
nished us with stoves, and plenty of wood, we 
kept our tents, and contrived to make ourselves 
comfortable. 

The next day, the 21st, our turn came for 
picket duty again. One of the regiments 
belonging to our brigade, the Twenty-Seventh 
New Jersey, having been taken from us, our 
turn came two days sooner than we had 
anticipated it would, when on before. It con- 
tinued raining throughout the afternoon, and 
towards night the wind, which had been blow- 
ing from the south, came round into the north- 
east, much against our wishes ; and it continued 
raining through the night. In the morning 
we found the wind had hauled into the north, 
the rain had nearly ceased, and at eight o'clock 
our regiment were in line ; and at half-past 
eight were on their march. By eleven, A. M., 
the sky was clear, and the Twelfth Rhode 



JOURNAL. 35 

Island Yolunteers were again, favored with 
pleasant weather. While the other regiments 
of our brigade had to contend with storms and 
unpleasant weather, while on this picket duty, 
the Twelfth thus far escaj^ed. Having some 
work of my own to do, I stopped in camp this 
time, and did not accompany the regiment. 
Saturday, the 22d, it was very warm and 
pleasant ; but Sunday, the 23d, the sky was 
partially overcast with clouds, the air was raw 
and chilly, and the wind blew a gale from the 
north-west. 

At two o'clock, P. M., our regiment came 
in, all in good spirits, but glad to get into 
camp. Monday, 24th, we had a pleasant day 
again, and a fine time drilling. The mud had 
dried up, the ground had become hard, there 
was no dust blowing, and the men were in fine 
spirits, and fast improving in the drill and 
discipline necessary to make the soldier. 

The Twelfth as yet continued to be in 
remarkably good health, compared with the 
other regiments encamped about us. The 
Thirteenth New Hampshire and Fifth Con- 
necticut, coming here at the same time with 
us, had already lost several men since encamp- 
ing here, and had then quite a number sick in 



36 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

the hospital. Our fare continued good ; we 
had excellent bread, and plenty of it. It was 
baked at Alexandria, and we got it fresh, and 
oftentimes warm from the oven. We had hard 
crackers occasionally, twice a week, perhaps, 
instead of soft bread. The hard bread we had 
here was entirely diiferent from what I ex- 
pected to find it. It appeared to be made 
of the best of material. Our salt beef was fat, 
of good quality, and when properly cooked, 
was as good as we could ask for. It is cured 
differently from that at home, there being 
much saltpetre used in curing it ; requiring a 
great deal of pains, on the part of the cooks, 
in order to make it palatable. We had fresh 
beef twice a week ; this was made into soups. 
Our company finally procured a large sheet 
iron pan, six feet long and two feet in width, 
to be used as a frying-pan, and after that we 
had fried beef once or twice a week. We had 
tea or coffee twice a day, (with our breakfast 
and supper,) with plenty of sugar to accom- 
pany it. We had rice, and sugar-house 
syrup, bean soup, &q. Any one finding fault 
with our fare at this iime would be apt to be 

dissatisfied wherever he were placed. 



JOURNAL. 37 

Tuesday, 25th, was a cloudy, misty day, and 
in the night it rained quite hard. Wednesday 
morning it cleared off i^i time for us to drill. 
It had rained just enough to soften the clay, 
the mud being shallow and as slippery as 
grease — a peculiarity in the mud about here. 
You can appreciate this kind of travelling by 
spreading lard an inch thick upon a plank, 
and then attempting to walk upon it. One 
advantage in this kind of soil is that when it 
dries it becomes as hard as a cement floor, 
which made it easier for us than to have been 
wallowing through sand. The weather con- 
tinued pleasant, no dust blowing about and 
into every thing ; the ground was hard, in the 
best condition for drilling, and our regiment 
improved it. 

The 27th was Thanksgiving Day in Rhode 
Island, and also duly observed by us in camp. 
We were relieved from drill, attended divine 
service at eleven, A. M., and had a little recre- 
ation, walking about the country, &c. Our 
bed-sacks were now given out to us, with 
plenty of clean straw to fill them with. (These 
sacks were made of stout ticking, and were, 
perhaps, seven feet long and five feet wide, 
after they were filled; amply large enough, 

4 



38 . MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

each of them, for two to lie upon.) The regi- 
ment were all provided with these sacks, and 
had lain upon the ground long enough to 
know how to appreciate them. The 27th was 
a beautiful day, and having never been to 
Alexandria, I took this opportunity to visit the 
place. Procured a pass, and in company with 
one of our mess, at eight, A. M., started. We 
struck a " bee line " directly for the place ; 
passed over the road leading from Fairfax 
Seminary, and continued on, up hill and 
down, our path being parallel with the Alex- 
andria and Manassas wagon road, and just to 
the north of it. I found I had underrated the 
distance from our camp to Alexandria, it being 
nearly two and one-half miles from our camp. 
We passed the Convalescent Camp, which was 
situated on the heights to the west of Alexan- 
dria, and to the north of Fort Ellsworth, on 
the same eminence, and in the immediate 
vicinity of it. It was used as a rendezvous for 
convalescent soldiers. In the vicinity of this 
camp was the Stragglers' Camp and the Re- 
cruiting Camp, &c. ; making, in the aggregate, 
an immense collection of tents and occupants. 
Passing down the road leading from this 
camp to tlie east, we came into Alexandria ; 



JOURNAL. 39 

the distance was, perhaps, one-half mile ; the 
descent being as steep as the roof of a house. 
From the heights we had just left, we had a 
splendid view of the country for miles around. 
The city of Washington, to the north of us, 
was in full view, the Capitol looming up in the 
distance. Fairfax Seminary was two miles to 
the north-west of us, from the tower of which 
the rebels observed our movements, and sig- 
nalled them to the enemy, while making our 
first advance to and inglorious retreat from 
Bull Run, in 1861. The city of Alexandria 
was a short distance to the east, and perhaps 
one hundred feet beneath us. We had also a 
good view of the Potomac from this height. 
Aquia Creek being the base of Burnside's 
operations in Virginia, this noble stream was 
covered with vessels of every size and descrip- 
tion, plying to and fro, between Aquia Creek, 
Alexandria and Washington. I stopped in 
Alexandria until half-past two, P. M. ; went 
down to the wharves, visited the Slave Pens, 
once used as a rendezvous where slaves were 
bought and sold, but at the time of my visit 
used as a place of confinement for deserters, 
and others who might be found without passes, 
by the police. I also visited the Marshall 



40 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

House, where Ellsworth was killed ; and 
started from there for camp. 

I arrived in time to attend the funeral of 
one of our boys who died in the hospital the 
day before. This was the first death that had 
occurred in our regiment since we arrived in 
Washington, and the third since the regiment 
was organized ; the other two being killed, 
first, the drummer of Company D, from New- 
port, in a fray at Camp Stevens, the second of 
Company C, on the cars, between Harrisburg 
and Baltimore. There were but few of our 
regiment now in the hospital, and none of 
them dangerously sick. 

Saturday, the 29th, was a pleasant day ; the 
night was still and cold. Sunday morning, 
the 30th, we found the ground slightly frozen, 
and ice in the tubs about camp one-half inch 
thick. The weather continued fine as yet. 
We had fine mornings here, the air was still, 
and every thing seemed delightful. The 
smoke from the numerous camp fires, made 
the atmosphere hazy, reminding one of our 
Indian summer in New England. 



JOURNAL. 41 



CHAPTER III. 

December 1st, we had orders to march im- 
mediately, and at twelve o'clock our brigade 
were on the move. We passed through Wash- 
ington just at night-fall, over the bridge which 
crosses the east branch of the Potomac, and 
encamped about two miles beyond the city for 
the night. In the morning we continued our 
journey along the Maryland side of the 
Potomac, and so on, from day to day, until 
our arrival opposite Aquia Creek, on the 6th 
inst. 

We had fine weather until Friday the 5th, 
when it commenced raining, and at night 
turning to snow, made our encamping exceed- 
ingly unpleasant. We expected to have reached 
the Potomac Friday night, but the rain soften- 
ing the road, made our marching extremely 
difficult and tedious, and at three o'clock we 
turned into the woods completely jaded, and 
commenced to pitch our tents, and make our- 
selves as comfortable as we could, under the 
circumstances. I could indeed appreciate the 

4* 



42 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

discomforts of our situation. I was fortunate 
in finding some poles in the woods, already 
cut, and. with the help of the boys, made a 
shed, and covering it with our tents, with the 
addition of a lot of dry husks, procured from 
a barn close by for our beds, managed to pass 
the night quite comfortably. It stopped snow- 
ing early in the night, and at ten, A. M., the 
next morning, we were on 4ihe march again. 
It was a delightful morning ; the mud had 
crusted over, bearing us up, as we marched, 
and the sun shining brightly, gave the ever- 
greens by the roadside, covered with snow as 
they were, a beautiful appearance. At twelve 
we were upon the banks of the Potomac, with 
the rest of our brigade, waiting our turn to be 
ferried to Aquia Creek. It came at last, and 
at five, P. M., we were aboard of the boat and 
on our way. At seven we were alongside the 
wharf, and at eight were off the boat and in 
line upon the pier, waiting for orders. It was 
a bitter, cold night, and much impatience was 
manifest in both officers and privates, at being 
obliged to wait in this place so long, before 
moving to our camping ground. At half-past 
nine we finally received orders to march off. 
Passed up the railroad from Aquia to Fred- 



JOURNAL. 43 

ericksburg about two miles, filed to the left, 
continued on from the road about one-third of 
a mile, and after another delay of perhaps half 
an hour, our colonel selected our camp, and 
we formed upon it, to pass another unpleasant 
night. The spot selected was in the woods, 
upon the side of a hill. The heavy wood had 
been cut, and most of it taken off, but all of 
the tops, and some of the largest logs were 
left, all covered with the snow which fell the 
night before. Every thing being wet, it was 
some time before we could start our fires. 
But little sleep could be had that night ; the 
most uncomfortable one that the Twelfth Rhode 
Island Volunteers had experienced. The place 
we christened Camp Smoke, a most appro- 
priate name for this place. The first night 
and the following day it was impossible for us 
to escape the smoke from our numerous fires, 
half of it passing into our eyes, and down our 
throats. We would pass around our fires, the 
smoke following our coat-tails as we moved 
along, and fastened to us soon as we stopped ; 
it was impossible to escape it. We stopped at 
this place until Tuesday morning, the 9th, 
when the brigade again took up their line of 
march. We arrived opposite Fredericksburg 



44 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

Wednesday, the 10th, and encamped for the 
night alongside the Seventh Rliode Island. 

The signal guns, ominous of the coming 
battle, were first fired at five, A. M., the next 
morning, and at intervals until sunrise, when 
a fierce cannonading commenced along the 
whole line in front of the city. At nine, A. M., 
we received twenty extra rounds of ammuni- 
tion, three days' rations, threw our knapsacks 
and extra luggage into a pile, slung our 
blankets over our shoulders, and moving to 
within three-quarters of a mile of the city, 
formed in line of battle, and rested on our 
arms, ready for the emergency. 

In trying to throw the pontoon bridges over, 
our forces met with determined resistance, and 
were obliged to shell the city, in order to 
dislodge the enemy. Being satisfied of the 
impossibility of crossing the river this day, 
late in the afternoon we returned to camp. 
Early in the evening, the cannonading, which 
had continued through the day, ceased ; and 
two or three regiments crossing over in boats, 
after a fierce conflict in the streets of the city, 
finally succeeded in dislodging the enemy, and 
the bridges were completed. Early in the 
morning of the next day, the different brigades 



JOURNAL. 45 

commenced crossing the river, and occupying 
the city, ours among the rest. 

The main streets of this city run parallel 
with the river. We took our position opposite 
the pontoon bridge, in the rear of the second 
street. This part of the city suffered severely 
during the shelling of the place the day before, 
as the fire from the different batteries was 
directed in this vicinity, in order to demolish 
the buildings, which were occupied by the 
enemy's sharpshooters, who were firing upon 
our troops, rendering it necessary to dislodge 
tliem, to complete the bridge. We were fired 
upon by the enemy while entering the city, 
their shells bursting about us, but fortunately 
doing us no injury. They continued firing 
through the day, throwing an occasional shell 
as a regiment approached to cross into the city. 
From their batteries, they had a good view of 
the opposite bank of the river, and could see 
every regiment, as one by one, they approached 
the bridge. There were quite a number of 
casualties during the day, in the city, from the 
bursting of the enemy's shells. They might 
have done us infinite damage this day, if they 
had felt disposed to have directed their fire 
upon the city. Our position during the fore- 



46 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

noon, was directly in range of the enemy's 
batteries, as they fired upon the troops coming 
over the bridge. 

From the place where I stood in the ranks, 
I could see two defunct rebels, who were killed 
the day before, while our batteries shelled the 
city. I took the liberty to go close, and look 
at the one nearest me. A shell had struck 
him in the head, cutting the top of it completely 
off, leaving nothing above the eyes ; killing 
him of course instantly. 

From this place I continued on to another 
street, to see a group of dead bodies. There 
were sixteen of them, all belonging to a Massa- 
chusetts regiment, and who fell the night 
before, while engaged in dislodging the enemy. 
They were laid in a row, and buried close 
where they fell. I could not help thinking, as 
I gazed upon the mournful scene, of the loved 
ones at home, who were waiting, watching, 
and praying for the safe return of these poor 
men, who, in the dispensation of a mysterious 
Providence, they never more could see on 
earth. 

I turned away from the sad spectacle to 
become acquainted with other features of this 
cruel war. I had passed along several streets, 



JOURNAL. 47 

when the rapid firing of the enemy warned me 
to return to my regiment. The shells were 
bursting all about us, and I found the regiment 
on my return already in line, and soon after 
.we moved and took a position in a less exposed 
situation, where we remained through the 
night. I went to a house close by, found some 
boards, returned to the street, where we were 
ordered to remain, placed one end of these 
boards upon the sidewalk, the other end resting 
in the middle of the street, and finding some 
straw in the neighborhood, made my bed upon 
these, and " laid me down to sleep." 

Early in the morning, the different regiments 
were all astir, preparing for the coming battle. 
The different companies of our regiment were 
drawn up in line, our haversacks were filled 
with three days* rations, which consisted of 
crackers, pork, sugar and coffee, our canteens 
with water, and moving some half mile farther 
down the city, we rested on our arms, in read- 
iness to take the part assigned us. While in 
this place, we were somewhat sheltered from 
the enemy's shells, which were thrown at 
different intervals, several of them dropping 
and bursting in the river, directly in front 



48 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

of US, causing much dodging and twisting, 
throughout the different regiments. 

There was a space directly in front of our 
position, upon which there were no buildings, 
close upon the river. This space was occupied 
early in the forenoon, by the Irish Brigade, 
and I saw for the first time, Thomas F. Meagher, 
the general commanding this brigade, well 
known as the Irish patriot and fighting general. 
This brigade were called into action early in 
the day, and moved to the front at once. This 
was at about ten, A. M. 

The booming of cannon and the sharp 
cracking of the musketry, soon told us that 
the " ball had opened," and at twelve o'clock, 
M. we were called upon. Our line was quickly 
formed, and we moved on. Filing to the left, 
we passed up a steep hill on the " double quick," 
and soon came in sight and within range of 
the enemy's guns, who immediately brought 
them to bear upon us. The firing becoming 
too hot for us, we were brought into line, and 
ordered to lie close to the ground. Down we 
went, accordingly, into the mud, and the firing 
partly ceased. Again we rose, and rushed 
ahead, the artillery playing upon us more 
furiously than ever. Gaining a trench, a short 



JOURNAL. 49 

distance ahead, we again came to a halt and 
formed our hne anew. Being partially shel- 
tered from the enemy's fire, we stopped long 
enough to catch our breath, then throwing off 
our blankets, passed up the bank, and hurried 
on. Some twenty rods ahead of this trench, 
the railroad from Fredericksburg to Richmond 
passes, making a cut some twenty feet deep. 
Expecting to find a shelter in this from the 
enemy's fire, we sprang ahead. Upon gaining 
the bank, with one spring I ploughed to the 
bottom. I had hoped to find another breathing 
spell here, but found myself disappointed in 
this, as the enemy had a battery in position 
from which they threw shot and shell the 
whole length of this cut, and it was here we 
first came under the fire of their musketry. 
We were ordered to gain the opposite bank as 
soon as possible. The ascent was very steep, 
and being out of breath, it required much 
efi'brt on our part to reach the top. I never in 
my life strove harder than I did to gain the 
top of this bank. The distance from this place 
to the position we were to gain, was perhaps 
forty rods. And this under a scorching fire 
of musketry and artillery, at short range. We 

hurried ahead as fast as possible, knowing this 

5 



50 MY FIEST CAMPAIGN. 

to be no place to make long stops. Our regi» 
ment at this time was partially broken up, 
every man knowing the danger, exerted himself 
to escape it; and by a " double quick," which 
at this time liad become a run, we were fast 
gaining the position already occupied by the 
rest of our brigade, which was partly shel- 
tered from the fire of the enemy. 

The report of the cannon, the shriek of the 
shell, its explosion in our midst, the sharp 
cracking of the musketry, and the whiz of the 
Minnie ball, (the different missiles ploughing 
and cutting- up the ground in front of us,) 
furnished a terrible ordeal, through which the 
Twelfth were called upon to pass. 

Thus we hurried on until we gained the posi- 
tion assigned us. Here a hillock, running par- 
allel with our lines, and slightly elevated above 
the surface of the plain, intervened between 
us and the enemy. This afforded us some 
protection, and here within two hundred yards 
of the enemy's redoubt, our forces came to a 
halt, and it was only after our arrival here that 
we could bring our muskets to bear upon the 
enemy. Our regiment was brought into this 
action under many disadvantages. It will be 
remembered, that up to this time we had been 



JOURNAL. 51 

in the service but eight weeks, had journeyed 
from Rhode Island, had established two different 
camps in Virginia, and just completed a march 
of one hundred miles. Tired and worn out 
with our long and weary march, and before we 
had time even to form our camp, or obtain 
any thing to eat, beside " marching rations," 
(hard crackers and salt pork,) upon which we 
^had subsisted for the two weeks previous, and 
in all our inexperience as to how we should 
render our compliments to the foe, we were 
invited across the Rappahannock, and intro- 
duced to the enemy. Upon the first start, on 
going into action, we ascended a hill where 
scaling ladders would have been an advantage 
to us. Then followed a feat of fence jumping, 
passing barns, brick kilns, &c. Through these 
gymnastic exercises we were conducted by our 
colonel, ably seconded by our gallant major. 
The regiment passed these obstacles in good 
order, and under a heavy fire reached the first 
trench, where the line was formed anew. Here 
our gallant major unfortunately received a 
severe wound, was placed on a stretcher, and 
carried to the rear. This threw the whole 
command upon our colonel, who without 
assistance, found it extremely difficult to bring 



52 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

the regiment into action in a manner suited to 
the notions of some of our military brethren, 
who felt disposed to criticise us. This class 
of warriors, with a knowledge of military 
tactics that would hardly enable them when 
in four ranks to file right and left without 
blundering, in their criticism showed little 
judgment and much injustice, towards a brave 
and loyal regiment. 

We retained our position until nightfall, 
when, having spent our ammunition, we were 
drawn off the field. It was nearly dark when 
we were ordered to fall into line, with strict 
orders to keep as quiet as possible, so as not to 
attract the attention of the enemy. We 
accordingly fell in, and moved quickly off. 
Upon approaching the railroad, the firing 
which had ceased commenced anew, and raged 
furiously. Our troops having charged upon 
the enemy's works, were endeavoring to carry 
them at the point of the bayonet, but were 
overpowered and driven back. As we were in 
range, this charge brought the enemy's fire 
directly upon us, as we were passing into the 
railroad cut. We hastened ahead, threw our- 
selves down and lay as close as possible, waiting 
for the storm to pass over. As soon as the 



JOURNAL. 53 

firing slackened, we hastened to our feet, and 
hurrying along the track, soon entered the city 
and were out of danger, and thus ended a day 
ever to be remembered in the history of the 
Twelfth Rhode Island Yolunteers. 

Having as great a dread of going off the 
field without a blanket, (having thrown mine 
away upon going into the fight,) as of the few 
balls that were following us up, I lingered in 
the rear and managed to secure one. I found 
a large pile a short distance from the raih^oad 
depot, which our regiment in their hurry to 
escape passed without securing. They had a 
perfect right to have taken them, if they had 
chosen to. They suffered severely afterwards 
for the want of them, and I think if they 
should go into a fight again under circum- 
stances that should cause them to throw away 
their blankets, especially in mid-winter, they 
will take good care to secure another when 
they come off the field. While getting my 
blanket, the regiment passed out of sight and 
hearing, and coming off the railroad into the 
street, the only one I could find whom I knew, 
was A. W., who had halted to catch his breath, 
having become nearly exhausted in trying to 
keep up with the regiment. As we could see 

5* 



54 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

or hear nothing of the regiment, I persuaded 
A. to go with me and get a blanket, he being 
also without one. We then returned to the 
city, and after awhile found our regiment, in 
the same place where we started from in the 
morning, and in this place we stopped for the 
night. 

In my wanderings the day before the battle, 
I found an unoccupied house a short distance 
from where our regiment passed the night, and 
not relishing the idea of lying on the ground 
in the street, after our hard day's work, with 
three others with me, I made for it. We found 
a room furnished with a bed and sofa, and 
fastening the doors, we appropriated these 
luxuries to our own particular use, and slept 
soundly through the night. 

In the morning, I went below to the basement 
of the house, and found quite a number of our 
boys busy cooking. There was a large cooking- 
range in the room, and plenty of wood, and 
finding a barrel of flour in the house, they 
were having a feast. I also engaged, and 
mixing up a batter, I contrived to cook me a 
good breakfast. The regiment remained 
through the day of the 14th, upon the street, 
in quiet, and we occupied the room where we 



JOURNAL. 65 

passed the night. Tliere was a piano in the 
room, a large easy chair, beside other furniture, 
and we had a good time " house-keeping " in 
our new tenement. 

In the morning, finding plenty of soap and 
water, I took a good wash, and began to fancy 
myself at home again. I tried to get S. to 
wash himself. The answer he made was, that 
he should not until he knew whether his head 
belonged to himself or to " Uncle Sam." I 
was quite amused at the idea. It was plainly 
evident a little water would not hurt S., as he 
was looking very much like a contraband. 
We passed the day (Sunday the 14th) quite 
comfortably. At night, thinking it best to 
keep with the regiment, we took quarters in 
the garret of a house, with the rest of our 
company. We were ordered to lie upon our 
arms, keep quiet, and be ready for action at a 
moment's warning. Towards morning our 
pickets had a skirmish with the enemy. We 
were aroused, but the firing, which was quite 
rapid for awhile, ceased, and we turned in 
again. In the morning we arose, and were 
privileged in having another day of rest. 
This night, as soon as it became dark, the 
evacuation of the city commenced. This fact 



56 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

we were all of us ignorant of at the time, and 
from the disposition of the regiment, supposed 
we had more fighting to do. At dusk we were 
formed in line, and as soon as it became dark 
moved down the city, taking the same street 
we did on the morning of the battle. We 
ascended the same steep hill, and proceeded 
quietly to the front. This made some of us 
catch our breath, as we thought of what we 
had already passed through while on the same 
road. Just inside our pickets, and under 
cover of a slight eminence, we laid ourselves 
down. A detail of men was made from the 
regiment, for picks and shovels, and upon the 
arrival of these, the whole front rank were 
called upon, and proceeding to the top of the 
eminence, commenced throwing up an en- 
trenchment. This, we afterwards learned, was 
to deceive the enemy, making them think we 
intended holding the position. About twelve 
o'clock the front ranks were called in, and 
forming in line, we quickly and as noiselessly 
as possible hurried into the city again. It was 
evident enough to us as soon as we entered the 
, city that it was being evacuated. When we 
left, a few hours before, the streets were full of 
soldi-ers, regiment after regiment, and battery 



JOURNAL. 57 

after battery ; now hardly a man was to be 
seen as we passed through the streets. The 
hurried tramp of men and horses in the direc- 
tion of the pontoon bridges told us our desti- 
nation. We hurried along, and at one o'clock 
the morning of the 16th recrossed the bridge, 
passed up the hill, and proceeded to our camp, 
where we left our luggage the morning of the 
12th. Our major, whom I had not seen since 
the fight, suddenly appeared upon our arrival 
in camp, and taking charge of the regiment, 
placed them in position, giving off orders in a 
loud tone of voice, which assured us that 
though severely wounded, he was fast conva- 
lescing. The next day I saw the major again. 
I could not discover that he was hurt at all 
from his appearance ; I think he bore up re- 
markably well. Since then, I noticed at the 
inspection, and in the presence of the brigadier- 
general, he limped, and seemed quite lame. 
I could not help thinking of our able major, 
who endures his sufferings without a murmur, 
though severely wounded, and contrasting this 
self-sacrificing spirit with some I hear of who, 
though loudly defiant, and anxious to lead their 
men against the enemy, were known to have 
run from the field in a " Devil take the hind- 



58 M^y FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

most " style, reminding me of a passage in 
Shakspeare-— a piece of advice suited to their 
case— to wit,— 

" Just doff that lion's hide, 
And draw a calfskin round thy recreant limbs." 



JOURNAL. 59 



CHAPTER IT. 

After the action of the 13th, our regiment 
selected a camping-ground a short distance 
nortli of the spot we occupied the night before 
the attack. The spot chosen was in a shallow 
valley, opening to the south, among the stumps 
of trees, wliich had been lately cut by the dif- 
ferent regiments encamped in the immediate 
vicinity. We pitched our shelter tents at first, 
but knowing the necessity of more adequate 
protection in case of a storm, as soon as wo 
recovered a little from the fatigues of the past 
fortnight, we commenced to improve our situ- 
ation as best we could. Quite a number of the 
regiment had lost their tents in the fight. The 
quartermaster managed, some ten days after, 
to get a few, and distributed them. Still one- 
fourth of the regiment were without a shelter. 
This class set to work, and made them a shel* 
ter of pine boughs, which, though of little use 
in case of a storm, (which, by the way, held 
off wonderfully,) were made very efficient 
while the dry weather continued. Here, in 



60 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

camp, you might see some curious styles of 
architecture, some of the men showing an 
appreciation of a comfortable home, and a 
good deal of ingenuity in its construction. 
Others were content with any thing, hardly 
making any etfort at all, seeming to have no 
anxiety or fear of storms, that might be ex- 
pected at any time, and if coming upon us at 
this time, would have caused an infinite amount 
of suffering among this particular class, who, 
1 am thinking, almost deserved to feel the 
gripes, to repay them the want of a little 
anxiety and forethought, in a matter evidently 
so necessary for the protection of their very 
valuable lives. 

I was fortunate in having a piece of a tent, 
and in company with some of the boys, who 
also had them, we together went to work, and 
measuring off a space large enough for us, dug 
into the ground eighteen inches perhaps, and 
cutting logs, placed them against the bank, and 
continued them up three feet from the bottom 
of the ground. We also built a fireplace in 
one end of our house, making our chimney of 
logs closely fitted together, and plastered with 
clay, topping it out with a pork-barrel. We 
placed a ridge-pole lengthwise, at a sufficient 



JOURNAL. 61 

height to clear our heads, and passed our tents 
over this, fastening them to the sides. Some 
of our party had rubber blankets, which we 
placed over these, and the rest receiving theirs ; 
soon after, we felt quite secure against wind 
and weather. 

We found our fire-place very useful in keep- 
ing our house warm and dry, and as we sat 
and watched the fire, we could almost imagine 
ourselves at home again. We cast anchor in 
this spot Tuesday, December 16th. Friday, 
the 19th, our regiment was appointed to do 
picket duty, the right of our line to rest at 
Falmouth, and the left opposite Frdericksburg, 
along the banks of the Rappahannock, our 
head-quarters to be at the De Lacey House, 
opposite Fredricksburg. 

The enemy occupied the heights opposite us, 
a mile back from the river, and threw their 
pickets out opposite ours, and in some places 
within speaking distance. At first some fears 
were entertained, lest the pickets might be 
tempted or provoked to fire upon one another. 
Instead of this, neither party seem inclined to 
communicate in this hair-on-end style, but, on 
the contrary, although strictly forbidden to do 
60, sometimes held friendly communication 

6 



62 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

with one another. The distance from our camp 
to the banks of the Rappahannock, was per- 
haps two miles. 

We went on picket regularly, every Friday 
morning, and remained on twenty-four hours, 
then returned to camp again. This duty was 
not very arduous, as our regiment guarded a 
line of not more than a mile in length, along 
the river, and held heavy reserves, to repel any 
force that might attempt to cross from the 
opposite side. In the daytime, no danger being 
apprehended from this source, some of the 
men procured passes, and were allowed to go 
to Falmouth, where, if they were so fortunate 
as to have the means, and felt so disposed, 
could, by paying exorbitant prices, get the 
wherewith to refresh the inner man. 

There is a large mill in this place, which is 
capable of turning out large quantities of flour 
and meal. There are twelve sets of stone in 
the building, six for grinding wheat, and six 
for corn. I visited this mill, and for the first 
time, witnessed the operation of grinding, bolt- 
ing, and packing flour. There were only two 
sets of stone running for wheat, at the time I 
visited the mill. There were also two sets 
grinding corn. Having seen no Indian meal 



JOURNAL. 63 

for sometime, I bought half a peck, paying at 
the rate of two dollars per bushel. There 
seemed to be a scarcity of provisions among 
the people of Falmouth, the boys paying fifty 
cents for a breakfast of warm Johnny cake and 
coffee. I went to Falmouth in company with 
Lieutenant Bucklin, who determined to have 
a breakfast before leaving, and by hunting 
awhile found a place, and by teasing, obtained 
a seat at the table, and for once we ate our fill. 
"We had fried pork steak, hot biscuit, hot coffee 
and syrup, as much of each as we wished. 

In talking with Falmouth men, they tell me 
that last winter was unusually severe, with 
large quantities of snow and rain. They told 
me, also, that this winter had been very mild 
thus far, but that every sixth or seventh winter 
was apt to be severe, like that of '61 and '62, 
but that this winter was a fair type of what 
they usually are in this part of the country. 
I told them I was surprised to find the weather 
continuing so mild, with so little rain. I had 
noticed one feature of the country that gave 
me some little uneasiness. This was the deep 
ravines with which the face of the country is 
indented, and which I supposed were caused 
by the heavy winter rains, and expected to see 



64: MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

an illustration of this kind of drenching and 
washing, much to my own particular incon- 
venience. I was told they have their heaviest 
rains in the summer; this information relieved 
my mind of that which I had the greatest fear 
of. 

The village of Falmouth is an old, dilapi- 
dated looking place, containing, perhaps, one 
thousand inhabitants. It is situated at the 
head of tide water, on the Rappahannock, three- 
fourths of a mile above Fredricksburg, and is 
connected with the opposite side of the river 
by a bridge, which crosses directly opposite the 
centre of the village ; half of the bridge, on 
the Falmouth side, remains uninjured, the rest 
of the way nothing but the piers remain stand- 
ng. The length of this bridge was about forty 
rods, and crossed the river at a height of per- 
haps thirty feet. It was a wooden structure, 
and rested on piers of logs and stone. There 
is a considerable fall in the river, opposite and 
above Falmouth, the bed of which, at this 
place, is one mass of rough, broken rocks, 
extending up the river as far as I could see. 
Owing to the long continuance of dry weather, 
the river is very low, and could be easily forded, 
I should think, any where in the vicinity of 



JOURNAL. * 65 

this place. I believe it is generally acknowl- 
edged to have been a great mistake, in not 
crossing the river and occupying the heights, 
now in the possession of the enemy, which 
could have been easily done at tlie time our 
first detachment arrived here. I think one 
with a good pair of boots could go over drj 
shod. The bridges were burned at the time 
of Burnside's occupation last summer. Since 
then the people about here habitually crossed 
and recrossed the river with their teams. Our 
enerals, having had experience last winter, 
wWich was unusually rough and stormy, had 
fears, no doubt, of having their communication 
cut off if they crossed, through the rise of the 
river alone, and thus find themselves in a tight 
place before the railroad bridge could be com- 
pleted. The banks of the Rappahannock, at 
Falmouth and beyond Fredericksburg as far as 
I could see upon the northern side, are very 
high and precipitous, — I should think, upon an 
average, sixty feet above the level of the river. 
On the Fredericksburg side the bank is not as 
steep. The heights back of the city, and 
occupied by the enemy as their first line of 
defence, and three-fourths of a mile from the 
river, are but very little higher tlian those 

6* 



66 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

occupied bj our batteries immediately upon 
the bank. Fredericksburg, as we stand on 
the bank opposite, seems almost beneath our 
feet, and, of course, at the tender mercies of 
our batteries. There is a wagon-road between 
Falmouth and Fredericksburg, upon the north- 
ern side of the river, running close by the 
edge at the foot of the bank. Along this road 
our line of pickets are stationed. Upon the 
opposite side, along the river, is the wagon- 
road occupied by the pickets of the enemy. 
Our repulse at Fredericksburg somewhat dis- 
couraged the soldiers, but as time passed *by 
they gained courage again. Immediately after 
the battle, newspapers in opposition to the 
administration appeared in camp and were 
sold in large quantities. These scurrilous 
sheets were eagerly sought after and read by 
the soldiers of our regiment, who fed upon 
them like crows upon carrion^ not consider- 
ing the object of this abuse of the admin- 
istration, — namely, political chicaner?/. Some 
of the men who had enlisted for nine months, 
no doubt hoped to escape without getting 
into a fight ; but, having seen the elephant, 
and partly caught a glimpse of his gigantic 
proportions, they were ready to make a sacri- 



JOURNAL. 67 

fice of every principle of right and justice 
rather than to expose their precious lives 
again. 

Many of these men were those who, at 
home, were ready to make every sacrifice, 
denouncing the rebels in no unmeasured terms, 
shouldering the musket with an alacrity worthy 
of the cause to which they pledged their " lives 
and sacred honor;'''' who, after a little experi- 
menting in shot, shell, and gunpowder, were 
ready to make any sacrifice, or compromise 
with the enemy, that would relieve them, fully 
illustrating the old saying that " distance lends 
enchantment to the view ; " also, that " self- 
preservation is the first law of nature." I 
became utterly disgusted with this class of 
-croakers and grumblers, whom it was impossi- 
ble to escape, and who greedily fed upon 
every thing discouraging, namely, " the impos- 
sibility of conquering the enemy," " ruinous 
state of the finances," " depreciation of paper 
currency," &c., endeavoring to hold an argu- 
ment upon matters they evidently knew 
nothing about. They at this time flattered 
themselves that a general feeling of dissatis- 
faction among the soldiers would go towards 
putting an end to the war, and used their 



68 BIY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

influence accordingly, swallowing and disgorg- 
ing all things of a discouraging nature, and 
that with an avidity which would do credit to 
a flock of buzzards feeding upon a defunct 
mule. Those were trying times ; but the same 
principle which prompted me to enter the ser- 
vice still upheld me. I had faith to think that, 
as the war progressed, partisan feeling would 
be destroyed, the North would become more 
united in purpose, able leaders would be found, 
and this rebellion would eventually be crushed. 
I was very fortunate in being permitted to 
enjoy good health thus far. I had not as yet 
been reported sick, or been excused from duty 
on account of sickness, and by a little care 
escaped the tender mercies of our hospital. 
Sickness at this time, January 19th, began to, 
tell upon the regiment. Quite a number had 
died in the hospital within a week. Stephen 
Clissold was the first man of our company who 
had died in the hospital up to this time. He 
received a severe wound in the head while in 
action, December 13th, which I think was the 
ultimate cause of his death. I am afraid 
much sickness in this regiment was brought 
about through the neglect of men, in not being 
mindful of a few simple things, which go far 



JOURNAL. 69 

towards preserving their health. I know some 
of the men suffered for the want of clothes, 
through their own carelessness. This particu- 
lar class, not considering the irregularity of 
supplies, especially in connection with so large 
an army as we had in our immediate vicinity, 
and the impossibility of keeping a supply con- 
stantly on hand, of all kinds, and the necessity 
of economizing, and keeping in good condition 
what they had, until they could get more, 
found themselves uncomfortably short. 

Immediately after the battle of the 13th, for 
two or three days, we were somewhat short 
of provisions, but had enough to satisfy our 
hunger. As we became established in camp, we 
began to live again. At first we had hard 
crackers. This is the staple article. Then 
pork, coffee, sugar and beans. After being 
here two weeks, we drew rations of fresh beef, 
drawing it regularly since, once a week. We 
had potatoes two or three times, and onions, 
also. 

January 14th, we drew rations of salt beef; 
this was the first we had seen since we left 
" Camp Casey." 

January 15th, we drew rations of dried 
apples, but hard crackers, salt pork and coffee, 



70 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

are the staple articles. These we had at all 
times, as much as we wished ; when on the 
march it is all we have. Beans and rice we 
usually had at all times, as they are more easily 
transported. Beef, potatoes, onions, &c., we 
began to class among the luxuries of a soldier's 
life, it being impossible to supply us with these, 
at all times, during an active campaign. Sut- 
tiers, who had not been seen for sometime, 
began to come among us again. I will give 
the prices of some of their articles, as they 
were sold at that time : Tobacco, 12 per lb. ; 
butter, 75 cents per lb. ; cheese, 50 cents per 
lb. ; pepper, |1 per lb. ; apples, 5 cents apiece ; 
cookies, 25 cents a dozen ; boots, $8 and 810 
per pair, that retail at home for $3 and $4, and 
other things in proportion. Soft bread was 
among the things gone by ; we had not seen 
any since we left " Camp Casey." 

January 17th, we received marching orders. 
Packed our knapsacks accordingly, filled our 
haversacks with rations, and prepared to march 
at an hour's notice. All things seemed to 
indicate a speedy move. Sunday, the 18th, 
passed by. Monday, the 19th, regiment after 
regiment passed our camp. Tuesday, the 20th, 
it was evident the "Grand Army" of the 



JOURNAL. 71 

Potomac were in motion. This day, at " dress 
parade," an address from General Burnside 
was read to us, calling upon us once more to 
face the enemv. Our colonel had orders to 
move the regiment that night, or the following 
morning. At nightfall, the wind, which had 
been blowing from the south-east for two days, 
threatening rain, suddenly veered to the north- 
east, and culminated finally in a storm ; con- 
sequently we remained in camp. It continued 
raining until the morning of January 2^d^ 
when it finally ceased. 



72 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 



CHAPTER Y. 

Since the storm of January 20th, 21st, and 
22d, which will be remembered as defeating the 
plans of Gen. Burnside in his attempt to 
cross the Rappahannock, we had much stormy 
weather, pleasant days being rare curiosities. 
And although having been wonderfully favored 
with pleasant weather up to that time, it became 
certain we were to have the reverse of it, 
thereby making the old adage good, that " one 
extreme begets another." 

It got to be a saying among us, that when 
the 12th Rhode Island Volunteers move, the 
storm ceases. The 23d was the appointed day 
for our regiment to go on picket. In the morn- 
ing it rained, and showed no signs of clearing 
off, but immediately upon our regiment's mov- 
ing the clouds began to disperse, and when we 
reached Falmouth, the sun came out ; and at 
two, P. M., not a cloud was to be seen. We took 
up our quarters in an old meeting-house, on the 
heights of Falmouth, a situation overlooking 
the entire village, the city of Fredericksburg, 



JOURNAL. 73 

and the river, for one mile in either direction. 
The village of Falmouth abounded at this time 
in sutlers, who still held their goods at exor- 
bitant prices. The troops commenced their 
retrograde movement the morning of the 23d, 
and the road was thronged with batteries, bag- 
gage wagons, ambulances, and soldiers, moving 
to tlieir old quarters. Just at nightfall I was 
in the village, and at that late hour, battery 
upon battery, ambulance upon ambulance, lined 
the street, hurrying back to their respective 
quarters. One need but to have seen this 
immense amount of war material on exhibition, 
as we were permitted to, to have been assured 
of the great strength and effectiveness of the 
Army of the Potomac, if properly directed. 
As the enemy were opposed to us at this place 
in large force, and disposed no doubt for des- 
perate efforts, we expected soon a blood;^ 
struggle. ♦ 

It was deferred by the interposition of a mer- 
ciful Providence, through the agency of the 
'' God of storms," until a more favorable time. 
Still I had faith to think that the enemy at this 
place would be obliged to yield to the immense 
force we were able to bring against him, and 
patiently waited the time that would bring shame 
7 



74 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

and defeat to the enemy, and crown our arms 
with victory. Then can we in the fulness of 
our hearts and in all truthfulness say, that 

" The star spangled banner in triumph does wave, 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." 

In the knowledge of the immense amount of 
power brought into action by both parties, in 
this sanguinary struggle, when the science and 
genius of nearly the whole world are turning 
their thoughts in this direction, forsaking other 
and more useful pursuits, some thoughts natu- 
rally suggest themselves. 

I could not help thinking, that from time 
immemorial the differences of men upon ap- • 
preaching a certain point, when " forbearance 
ceases to be a virtue," have always culminated 
in this summary way of cutting, slashing, and 
l^aining one another. Still it seems very 
unfortunate that these things cannot be settled 
by other means. History makes no mention of 
other ways provided, so I trust we are following 
the appointed way, by laying on " tooth and 
nail." 

From Saturday, 24th, to Tuesday, 27th, the 
weather was quite warm, with occasional show- 



JOURNAL. 75 

ers of rain. Wednesday morning we found it 
snowing, the air extremely cold, the wind from 
the north-east, blowing a gale, which continued 
through the day, making it the most uncom- 
fortable day we have yet experienced. Thurs- 
day, 29th, was sunny, warm and pleasant, and 
we had no more rain until Sunday, February 
1st, when we had to submit to another rainy 
day, which though unpleasant to us, was the 
means of clearing off what little snow remained 
upon the ground. The day before, we were 
visited by the U. S. Paymaster, and received 
our pay from the date of enlistment, up to 
October 31st. Some of the boys were hoping 
to get their pay up to the 1st of January, but 
getting it from the date of enlisting, which was 
more than they expected, (as they thought of 
obtaining pay only from the time of mustering 
in, October 13th,) they rested satisfied and 
waited, if coming short, for the next pay day. 

Monday, February 2d, I had a visit from 
Joseph S. Davis, of the Twenty-Ninth Massa- 
chusetts, whom I had not seen before for years, 
the same contented good-natured fellow, full of 
his jokes as ever. Found him minus two 
fingers, and since then, I hear, by the acciden- 
tal discharge of his piece, he has mutilated his 



76 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

hand in such a manner as to lay him up for 
the present. He is now in the hospital at 
Washington. 

Tuesday, the 3d, was severely cold, the wind 
blowing strong from the north-east, with fre- 
quent snow squalls. 

Thursday, 5th, rumors were afloat that we 
were soon to be removed from our present 
situation. 

Sunday, the 8th, had orders to prepare for a 
march, with three days' rations, to proceed to 
Aquia Creek, and from thence by transports 
to Fortress Monroe. Monday opened upon us 
pleasantly. This day, at three, P. M., we struck 
our tents, and bade farewell to " Camp Mud.'^ 
At half-past four, P. M., we stacked arms, and 
rested close by the depot, in company with 
other regiments, awaiting their turn to go 
aboard the cars. At half-past five, P. M., we 
hurried aboard, and after the usual delays, we 
finally started. We proceeded most of the 
way slowly, and did not arrive at Aquia Creek 
until ten o'clock in the evening. As soon as we 
arrived at this place we unloaded from the cars, 
the regiment was formed upon the wharf, and 
went immediately aboard the steamers Meta- 
comet and Juniata, that were waiting to receive 



JOURNAL. 77 

US. As soon as the regiment were aboard, they 
hauled into the stream^ where we passed the 
night. 

The morning of the 10th dawned upon us, 
promising a pleasant day. The long-looked-for 
schooner Elizabeth and Helen from Providence, 
we learned had arrived during the night, and 
was laying in the offing. I had just had her 
pointed out to me, and was looking at her? 
imagining what might be aboard for me, and 
wishing for half a bushel of apples to grind on 
our trip, when I saw a boat put off, and 
could just discover the head of our colonel 
above the bow of the boat, making for us. He 
brought a few boxes for himself and staff, and 
two barrels of apples for the regiment. The 
apples were distributed among the men, and 
were very acceptable ; I got two small ones for 
my share. At half-past eleven, our quarter- 
master's stores came alongside, were taken 
aboard, and, weighing anchor, we started down 
the river. It was a most beautiful morning, 
and all were in good spirits. I could not help 
comparing our present mode of transportation 
with that allowed us while on our march from 
Alexandria to Fredericksburg, by the way of 
Maryland and Aquia Creek, two months before. 

7* 



78 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

The Potomac is indeed a beautiful river. 
Although it is laid down on the maps as being 
broad and large, still, I had no idea of the 
magnitude of this noble stream. I should 
judge that this river, from Aquia Creek to the 
Chesapeake Bay, was, upon an average, five 
miles in width. Our steamer, the Metacomet, 
proved a fast sailer. The Juniata, which 
passed us before we started from Aquia Creek, 
we soon overtook, and as we passed Point 
Look-out Hospital, at five, P. M., and entered 
the broad waters of the Chesapeake, the Juniata 
could just be discerned from the stern of the 
boat. Soon darkness enveloped all, and at nine 
I turned in. At twelve, bj the motion of the 
boat, I was satisfied that we had r.eached our 
destination. 

At six, A. M., the 11th, I turned out 
to ascertain our whereabouts and look upon 
new scenes. I found the wind blowing fresh 
from the east, a cloudy sky, and threatening 
rain. I found we were in Hampton Roads, 
close in shore, and within three-quarters of 
a mile of the village of Hampton. There 
were quite a number of vessels in the Roads — 
steamers, schooners, gunboats, &c. Our com- 
panion, the Juniata, lay a short distance 



JOURNAL. 79 

from us, haying arrived a few hours later 
than we. 

At about nine, A. M., we started for Newport 
News. We passed close by the Rip-Raps, a ledge 
of rocks half way between Fortress Monroe 
and the opposite shore. Since the war com- 
menced this place has been strongly fortified, 
and is becoming celebrated as a place of con- 
finement for those incurring military displea- 
sure. We arrived at Newport News, landing at 
twelve, M., and proceeded immediately to disem- 
bark. The appearance of Newport News, I 
should think, was very much like that of a 
California seaport. There are two piers built 
out from the shore, each one perhaps 300 feet 
in length and 10 feet in width, consisting of 
spiles driven into tlie sand, covered with plank, 
with a railing upon either side to help preserve 
one's equilibrium. 

We filed off* the boat upon the pier, passed 
the length of it, came upon terra firma, pro- 
ceeded up the road, gained the top of the bluff*, 
and filing to the left a short distance, stacked 
our arms ; and, wliile our colonel went to report 
himself toJiis commanding officer, we took the 
opportunity to become acquainted with the 
sights and scenes of Newport News. 



80 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

The Cumberland, sunk a year ago by the 
Merrimack, lies opposite the landing, a short 
distance off in the stream. Her three lower 
masts and bows are all there is remaining in 
sight of what was once considered one of the 
noblest vessels in the service. The hull of the 
Congress lies one mile below, tlie top of it 
being plainly visible. It was fortunate the 
Monitor made her appearance as she did, thus 
putting a stop to the mischief. 

This place is of no importance, only as a 
military post, having been built up since the 
war commenced. Opposite the landing, the 
buildings extend from the beach up the bluff? 
and on to the level space above. The height 
of this bluff is about 40 feet above high-water 
mark for a mile or two in either direction from 
the village, and extending back from this is a 
level plain, half a mile in width, and in length 
as far as the eye can reach ; and in one continu- 
ous line along the bay, upon this level space, 
the different regiments are encamped, present- 
ing a very fine appearance. The space in front 
of our camp, one-fourth of a mile in width from 
the edge of the bluff, is used for drill and parade. 
The ground from the top of the bluff to tlie rear 



JOURNAL. 81 

descends gradually. Forty rods to the rear of 
our tents we get .plenty of good water. 

Our wells are made by digging a hole and 
inserting two barrels, minus heads, one above 
the other. There were also ditches, dug 
parallel with our camp, to the rear of the wells, 
and being at that time partly filled with water, 
we had every convenience for washing, and no 
excuse for dirty faces. In the rear of these 
ditches at a short distance, are the woods upon 
which we depended for our fires. Although 
for the past two years the woodman's axe had 
told effectively upon these noble forest trees, 
still there was a good supply left standing. 
We also depended upon these woods for our 
music, when all other kinds cease. This being 
a permanent institution, the denizens of the 
forest, which included peep frogs and owls, 
made melody far into the still watches of the 
iiight. 

The camp of the Twelfth Rhode Island was 
one-fourth of a mile from the landing, to the 
north-west. The village of Newport News is 
enclosed upon the north and west by a palisade 
and ditcli, intended to repel an attack from the 
rear. In this enclosure were the barracks 
for the men and the usual space allowed for 



82 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

drill and parade. Outside of this enclosure, 
upon the east, other barracks have been built. 
Nearly all the buildings are built of logs ; some 
of them, built for traders and quartermasters' 
use, are of rough boards, evidently not intended 
for any thing permanent. In extent, these 
buildings are scattered over an area of half a 
mile in width and one mile in length along the 
shore of the bay. The bay of itself is a beauti- 
ful sheet of water, and opposite us was perhaps 
four miles in width. As we stood upon the 
bluff, facing the bay, just below upon the oppo- 
site side we could discern the opening leading 
to Norfolk ; to the right, we could see the 
mouth of the James River ; and directly at the 
entrance could be seen one of our gunboats, 
keeping watch, ready to apprise us of any danger 
approaching from that direction. In front of 
us scattered along, were a few craft, whose 
general appearance bespoke their calling. 
The Galena, which will be recollected as taking 
part in the attack upon Fort Darling, last sum- 
mer, lay in the bay opposite us. Although 
pierced at that time by twenty-eight balls, she 
still existed, and, judging from her appearance 
and reputation, would, when called upon to 



JOURNAL. 83 

engage the enemy, be able to give a good 
account of herself. 

The Minnesota lay one and one-half miles 
below us. If the Monitor had not come to the 
rescue, instead of the noble vessel lying now 
before us, in all her beautiful proportions, she 
would have presented the same sorry figure as 
the Cumberland and Congress, undoubtedly 
sharing the same fate. 

Included in the fleet were three gunboats, of 
the Monitor pattern. These boats need no 
praise, and are particularly expected to speak 
for themselves. _ . 

February 12, the next day after our arrival 
here, being warm and pleasant, we went into 
the woods to cut and split logs for our house. 
The 13th and 14th was occupied in this busi- 
ness. The 15th, those in the tent with me 
gave out ; this brought things to a stand 
before our house was completed. The 16th it 
commenced storming ; this, of course, put a 
stop to operations. This day I received a box 
of apples from home. The 17th, received one- 
half barrel from Jason Newell. These came 
in good time. 

The storm continued until Friday, the 20th. 
Saturday, 21st, our colonel ordered all log-huts 



84 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

to be levelled and taken off the ground. This 
was done. New " A " tents were issued and 
put up at once. The next day we were to 
have straiu hats. (This, I will allow, was 
mere conjecture on my part.) However, we 
had just time to pitch our tents before it com- 
menced raining. In the night it snowed ; and 
the following morning we found it raining 
again, which continued through the day, mak- 
ing it very disagreeable. Upon the whole, the 
regiment were the better off for the new tents, 
as many of the boys would make no effort 
towards building them a house, and having 
nothing but the " shelter tents," were poorly 
provided for. But for those who were used to 
better quarters, the change was submitted to 
with an ill grace. 

Wednesday, the 25th, the 9th Army Corps 
passed in review before Gen. Dix. 

Saturday, March 14, we had a sword pre- 
sentation, Company F presenting Capt. Hub- 
bard with a beautiful sword, pistol, sword-belt, 
<fec. The money was raised in the company, 
by subscription, and the articles were pur- 
chased and brought on by J. L. Clark, our 
quartermaster. F. M. Ballon, who had lately 
received a second lieutenant's commission, and 



JOURNAL. 85 

was assigned to Company F, was also presented 
at the same time with a sword, pistol, sword- 
belt, cap, and other things, from friends at 
home. These were also brought on by J. L. 
Clark, who had just returned to the regiment, 
after an absence of two weeks. 

The camp of the Twelfth Rhode Island Vol- 
unteers, at this place, was the finest looking 
camp on the ground. The streets were well 
laid out, and were kept swept clean. The 
tents were new, and presented a neat, uniform 
appearance. 

There was a great improvement in the 
regiment after coming here. We were well 
clothed, and as finely equipped as any regi- 
ment in the field. We also had the Spring- 
field rifled musket, which is considered the 
best in the service. 

While at this place we had a fray in camp, 
which came near being a serious affair. I was 
in the quartermaster's tent the evening of the 
5th of March, when at eight o'clock our orderly 
came in, telling us our company had received 
a visit from the 48th Pennsylvania, a regiment 
adjoining, who came provided with clubs and 
stones, to settle some difficulty which had 
occurred between them and some of our boys. 

8 



86 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

We had some rough fellows in our company, 
and upon the Pennsylvania boys making their 
appearance, at it they went. After a few rounds 
the intruders retreated. No one of our com- 
pany was dangerously wounded ; a few slight 
cuts about the head and ears included the 
whole list of casualties. Soon after this affair 
I returned to my quarters and turned in, hopii:\g 
to have a good night's rest. In about half an 
hour we were apprised of another visit from 
our neighbors. Out our boys rushed, crying 
Turn out ! turn out I drive ^em I drive 'em / 
At the same time, we could hear the clubs 
strike against the sides of our tents. Imme- 
diately after I heard Captain Hubbard rush 
along, and soon after the report of a pistol, 
one, two, three, followed by the report of a 
rifle, assured me that it was time to pull on 
boots and prepare for battle. Upon coming 
from my tent I found the tumult had subsided. 
Our lieutenant-colonel came along, we were all 
ordered to our quarters, and the guard being 
called upon, this fray, which promised some- 
thing serious, was finally quelled. I did not 
hear that any one was seriously hurt. 

The next morning, as I lay in my tent, look- 
ing out upon the street, a party of three or 



JOURNAL. 87 

four stopped in front for a talk. Soon one of 
tbem began to sliow symptoms of a strange 
nature, and directly over he went upon his 
back. In connection with the affair of the 
past night, I began to think things were com- 
ing to a crisis. However, the man, who to all 
appearance was dead, by dint of hard rubbing, 
applied by those gathered around him, was at 
•length brought to and carried off. 



88 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 



CHAPTER VI. 

March 18th a cold, disagreeable storm com- 
menced, lasting till the 21st ; it commenced 
with a drizzling rain, which finally, however, 
turned into a stiff snow storm, and on the 
morning of the 21st it cleared off, the snow 
lying on the ground six inches deep. All were 
now looking forward to the time when we 
should pull up and leave for other parts. 

March 23d, the snow had disappeared, much 
to our satisfaction. This day was spent in 
issuing clothing to the regiment. They were 
now fully prepared for the journey before them. 
The Twelfth at this time was the largest regi- 
ment in the entire corps, and the finest in its 
general appearance, as regards the men, their 
clothing, arms, equipments, &c. 

Wednesday, 25th, we received marching 
orders. 

Thursday, 26th, at seven, P. M., we struck 
our tents and remained in the streets, waiting 
for orders to fall in.. Meanwhile, fires were 
kindled, and a general bonfire ensued ; sticks, 



JOURNAL. 89 

poles, boxes, and every thing that would burn 
was scraped up and added to the flames. It 
being a pold, chilly night, these fires proved 
very cheering and comfortable. At eleven in 
the evening we were called upon to fall in. 
This was quickly done ; the regiment was 
formed, and we immediately proceeded to the 
landing, and went aboard the steamer Long 
Island, and were soon on our way, bidding 
farewell to Newport News, where we had spent 
many pleasant hours, much to our own com- 
fort individually, and with profit to the regi- 
ment. The morning of the 26th we were 
steaming up the Chesapeake, en route for 
Baltimore. 

Left the Chesapeake at six, P. M., entered 
the Petapsco, and at seven were brought along- 
side the wharf, where we passed the night. 

At six o'clock on the morning of the 27th we 
were ordered to sling knapsacks. This done 
we filed off the boat, the regiment was formed, 
and marching through the streets of the city, 
we stacked our arms opposite the depot, and 
were to go aboard the cars as soon as the neces- 
sary arrangements could be made. The boys 
were allowed to leave the ranks and go where 
they chose. I went down street, and found 



90 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

there was plenty of liquor to be had, and also 
that it was in great demand; many of the boys 
were getting their canteens filled, &q. 

The people of Baltimore were very friendly 
to us. As we marched through the streets we 
met with cordial greetings ; handkerchiefs 
were waved, flags were displayed, <fcc. This 
was reciprocated by the regiment, who answered 
back in deafening cheers. 

We had our hands full after starting from 
Baltimore, in consequence of the boys indulging 
too freely in " whiskey libations." They had 
seen no liquor for some time, and seemed de- 
termined to make the most of this. At twelve 
we commenced entering the cars, and at one, 
P. M. the regiment were all aboard. Some of 
the men were picked up and brought on in a 
dilapidated condition, having been engaged in 
turning somersaults, evidently having had help 
in this game, judging from the countenances of 
some of them, which had materially changed, 
showing marks where the fist had been too 
closely applied for the good of the recipient, 
resulting in crawls upon all four, and other 
demonstrations of a like character. With three 
or four exceptions, all of our company came 
aboard without help, though I am sorry to say 



JOURNAL. 91 

many of them were full of figlit, and com- 
menced operations soon after entering the cars. 
It fell upon me to stand at one end of the car, 
with orders to allow no one to go out, under 
any pretence, as in the present condition of 
the men the result no doubt would have been 
disastrous. Soon the uproar commenced, which 
continued until darkness put a stop to it. 
There would be an occasional lull in the tem- 
pest, as parties became exhausted. 

Towards night, those who were brought 
aboard insensible, and who were indebted to a 
few of us for their preservation — as the chances 
were that they would have been stamped to 
pieces if we had not exerted ourselves to save 
them — came to and sailed in for their share. 
Such an uproar I never heard among human 
beings, and it required our utmost exertions to 
keep them from annihilating one another. 
Darkness came upon us at last, the uproar 
partly ceased, and comparative quiet reigned in 
this menagerie. 

The train was started at two, P. M., and pro- 
ceeded slowly throughout the afternoon. Late 
In the evening we stopped at Little York, 
Penn., where hot coffee and bread were served 
to such of the regiment as felt disposed to par- 



92 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

take. "We were now fairly on our way, en 
route for the West, via Harrisburg. After 
leaving Little York we proceeded rapidly, and 
the next morning, at eight o'clock, stopped at 
Lewistown, Penn., sixty miles to the west of 
Harrisburg. 

March 28th, at half-past one, P. M., stopped 
at Altoona, where hot coffee and white bread 
were served to us. At quarter-past two com- 
menced the ascent of the Alleghany Moun- 
tains. Our train consisted of thirty cars, 
drawn by a powerful locomotive. Upon com- 
mencing the ascent of the mountain, two more 
were attached, one to the rear of the train, and 
one ahead. The road is very crooked, and the 
train, as it moved slowly, winding its way along 
the numerous curves, like some huge serpent, 
presented to the eye of the beholder a novel 
and beautiful spectacle. In many places we 
could look down into ravines several hundred 
feet in depth, close beside the track, the sides 
of which were nearly perpendicular ; and upon 
the other hand the mountains would rise as 
high above us. All along the road the moun- 
tains were covered with a heavy growth of 
timber. Millions of logs, of all sizes, lay rot- 
ting upon the ground, seeming ready to tumble 



JOURNAL. 93 

upon US at any moment. This crossing the 
Alleghanies presented features of a kind new 
to Rhode Islanders, and was enjoyed by all who 
could appreciate the beauties of nature. 

At half-past two, P. M., we passed through 
the tunnel at the summit and commenced 
our descent. Passed Johnstown at six, and 
at twelve entered Pittsburg. At half-past 
twelve, the morning of the 29th, the regiment 
left the. cars and marched to the City Hall, 
the general rendezvous for supperless soldiers. 
We here found supper awaiting us, to which 
we quickly introduced ourselves. Had white 
bread and butter, crackers, pickles, apples and 
hot coffee served to us. We were also treated 
to music from one of the city bands. Stopped 
an hour in the hall, when the colonel, making 
a speech, thanking the Pittsburgians for their 
hospitality, &c., we left, highly pleased with 
our entertainment. From the hall we marched 
a short distance and took lodgings under the 
shelter of a large shed adjoining the depot? 
where some of us were so fortunate as to get a 
short nap. 

At six, A. M., rose from my downy bed, 
visited a saloon close by, had a good wash, and 
through the kindness of a friend, a good break- 



94 MY FIRST C A M P A I Cx N . 

fast of potatoes, hot biscuit, beefsteak, coffee, 
&c. At half-past nine, A. M., the regiment 
entered the cars, and at ten the train started, 
crossing the Alleghany River, en route for 
Cincinnati, via Steubenville and Columbus. 
I improved the little time I was in Pittsburg 
in looking about me. I was somewhat sur- 
prised at the general appearance of the city. 
I had often heard it spoken of as a dirty place. 
We often hear it called the city of " Eternal 
Smoke." This proceeds from the numerous 
forges, furnaces, and so on, which abound in 
the city, its principal business being the work- 
ing of iron, for which it is celebrated. In con- 
nection with its business I had pictured in 
imagination a collection of low, heavy build- 
ings and dilapidated houses, all of the color of 
smoke. Instead of this, I found a place of 
great beauty and interest. Many of the build- 
ings in the business portion of the city were 
four and five stories high, brick and stone 
being the material used. All of the buildings 
were neat in appearance, and many of them 
models of taste and beauty in their architec- 
ture. I saw very fine looking churches in this 
place. Owing to our short stay here, I can- 
not enter into a description, but judging from 



1 
JOURNAL. 95 

"vrhat I saw, should think it a place of 
great wealth, uncommon beauty and interest. 
We passed through Steubenville, Ohio, at 
two, P. M. At the village of Means, a short 
distance beyond, halted for coffee. Halted 
again at the Tillage of Newcomerstown, at 
seven, P. M., at the village of Cheshocton, at 
nine, and at the city of Newark at twelve. 
All along through these villages we were 
warmly welcomed by the inhabitants. The 
ladies ran to meet us as we came to a halt. 
Many of them brought bread, pies and apples 
to the soldiers. Some of the boys were the 
recipients of little tokens of affection, in the 
shape of kisses. Relative to the kisses, 
" Freely as you receive, freely give," was the 
rule on the part of the boys. "While passing 
through these villages, for my share, I received 
an apple and a slice of white bread and sauce. 
Monday, 30th, at two in the morning, the 
train came to a halt again, and upon making 
inquiry, I learned we had arrived at Colum- 
bus, the capital of the State. Here we found 
refreshments for the whole regiment awaiting 
us. White bread was brought into the cars 
and given to those who wished^ it. Before the 
coffee could be brought to us, our colonel, think- 



96 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

ing the regiment needed rest more than coffee 
and bread, (many of them being asleep at the 
time,) ordered the train to pass on. Not 
having a good chance to sleep myself, I being 
ready to eat and drink all I could get, I 
secured four loaves of the bread, and finding 
the coffee was in the depot, I hastened from 
the cars and was in time to fill my canteen. 

At seven, A. M., we passed through Zenia, 
where the train stopped long enough for us to 
wash up and look about us. Starting from 
here, at ten, A. M., we made a halt in Miami 
Valley, at a little village, where we remained 
until noon. At the village of Morrow we 
stopped four hours. This delay was owing to 
a train ahead of us smashing up, obliging us 
to wait till the track could be cleared. At 
five, P. M., we started again, and at seven 
entered the city of Cincinnati. After a delay of 
an hour we alighted from the cars and soon after 
proceeded to the Fifth Street Market, where 
supper was provided us. Our refreshments 
were the same as those we had at Pittsburg 
minus the music. At nine, P. M., we retired 
from the hall, after acknowledging our thanks 
by three deafening cheers, and marched imme- 
diately to the boat, which we found awaiting 



JOURNAL. 97 

US, and at ten, P. M., were across the Ohio 
and standing on Kentucky soil. We landed in 
Covington, a place opposite Cincinnati. At 
eleven, we turned in for the night, occupying 
the floor of an old, dilapidated slied, near the 
depot. 

Tuesday, 31st, our colonel endeavored to 
get us a breakfast for the regiment at this 
place, but was unsuccessful. Qnr haversacks 
furnished us a breakfast at this place. We 
were delayed here until one, P. M., when we 
again took the cars and were soon hurrying 
on, en route for Lexington. Passed through 
the town of Belmont at four, and arrived at 
Lexington at nine in the evening. Here we 
had arrived, we learned, at the end of our 
journey. We took up our quarters for the 
night in the cars and about the depot. 

Wednesday, April 1st, turned out at an 
early hour, kindled fires, made coffee and took 
our breakfast. The regiment was not called 
upon to fall in until half-past eight, A. M. 
Meanwhile I took the opportunity to visit the 
grave and monument of Henry Clay, which 
are in tlie cemetery a short distance from the 
depot. The monument is very large, and 
upon the top of the tall shaft stands a statue 



98 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

of the departed statesman. His grave is 
about forty rods from the monument. It was 
pointed out to me by one familiar with the 
spot. It is ten feet north of the monument 
erected by him to the memory of his mother, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Clay, formerly Watkins. There 
are no stones to mark the spot where he lies, 
as his remains will undoubtedly soon be 
removed to the vault prepared for them, at 
the base of the monument. Finding some 
coffee beans, as they call them here, upon the 
grave, and which grew upon a tree overshad- 
ing it, I secured them for a memento. I also 
visited the place allowed for the burial of 
soldiers who die in the hospitals here. The 
space allotted is upon an eminence, and the 
manner of burying is novel and interesting. 

The graves were arranged in circles, the 
first circle enclosing a space twenty feet in 
diameter, with the foot of the grave towards 
the space, and the head outwards. The second 
circle outside of this, and so on. There were 
several circles already finished. The space is 
reserved for the erection of a monument at 
some future time. There are many fine speci- 
mens of sculpture in this cemetery, and monu- 
ments in great profusion. At half-past eight 



JOURNAL. 99 

t 

we were called upon to fall in, and immedi- 
ately marched to our encampment. This was 
situated upon the Fair Grounds, three-quarters 
of a mile from the city. It was a beautiful 
situation, amid a grove of black walnuts and 
maples, commanding a fine view of the sur- 
rounding country, which includes many inter- 
esting localities. The Asliland Estate, well 
known as the residence of Henry Clay, is but 
a mile from our camp. This estate is very 
large, comprising originally one thousand 
acres. 

Thursday, April 2d, I started on a visit to 
this place. Just before reaching the house we 
came upon two children, a boy and a girl, who 
were playing in a grove adjoining. They 
were about ten or twelve years of age. Upon 
coming up to them to make some inquiry, I 
noticed in the features of each a striking resem- 
blance of the man whose memory we hold in 
reverence. Upon making inquiry, I learned 
they were grand children of Henry Clay. 
Their father, James Clay, was absent, holding 
a high position in the rebel army ; his family 
occupying the homestead. It was a very 
warm, pleasant day, and the whole family, 
which consisted of the mother and two 



100 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

other younger children, were busying them- 
selves out-doors, and looking at the men who 
were employed at the time of our visit, in 
the garden. The wife of James Clay is a 
woman apparently about thirty years of age, in 
height rather below the average ; has black eyes 
and hair, is of a dark complexion, and with- 
out doubt in her younger days was considered 
handsome. Her countenance bears the traces 
of grief, and in the absence of her husband, 
she is no doubt seeing trouble. I had a talk 
with one of the men respecting the family. 
He showed me the house he lived in, which is 
situated on the estate, and was rented to him 
by Mrs. Clay the year before. He said he was 
a Union man, and thought it best she should 
understand it so, before he occupied the prem- 
ises. He therefore told her. All she told him 
was that she rented the house for the money. 
Whether her husband's course is approved of 
by her or not, he could not ascertain, as she 
keeps her own counsels. I was told the whole 
family since the death of the honored parent, 
which occurred some eight years ago, have 
dressed in black. Mrs. Clay was dressed in a 
full suit of deep mourning. In connection 



J.O U RN A L . 101 

with her husband's position at the present 
time, I thought the dress very appropriate. 

We were allowed the privilege of going 
about the premises. I learned that the house 
occupied by the elder Clay had, since his 
decease, been removed, giving place to one 
more modern in its style of architecture. 
There has been no alteration made in the out- 
buildings, of which there are quite a number. 
The house is a very fine building, built of 
brick, with free-stone cornices, window caps, 
&c. The lawn is very spacious ; around the 
outer edge is a carriage road, and upon either 
side of this is a row of trees. The principal 
kinds are hemlock, firs and black walnuts, 
most of them of large size. Scattered about 
the lawn in great profusion are others of dif- 
ferent kinds. Alongside the carriage road 
were a few neglected flower beds. Finding 
some of them in bloom, I culled one and sent 
it home as a memento of my visit to this cele- 
brated estate. 

After a short stav here, we returned to 
camp. On our way back we passed the resi- 
dence of John Clay, and took the opportunity 
of visiting his stables, and seeing the horses 

owned by him, he being reputed the owner of 

9* 



102 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

some of the finest horses in the State. We 
found the stables easy of access, several negroes 
being in charge, who were willing to show us 
about the premises. This Clay is quite a 
sporting character ; has a race course of his 
own, and makes a business of rearing and 
racing horses. Those we saw were the finest 
he had. One of them, a bright bay mare, 
named Edgar, is said to have run her mile in 
one minute forty-six seconds. Those I saw 
were all trained to running. On our way from 
the stables we passed the house. Being hungry, 
I inquired of a negro if he could find us some- 
thing to eat. He took us up to the house and 
asked the inmates of the kitchen, which con- 
sisted of three negroes, one man and two 
women, if they could do any thing for us. 
The man said that Mr. Clay was sick, and had 
refused several before us. Finding we would 
accept of a johnny-cake which was cooking 
upon the stove, he took it off and gave it to us. 
The widow of Henry Clay resides at this place 
with her son. She is now in her eighty-third 
year, is very feeble, and will soon follow her 
lamented husband to the tomb. From here, 
returning to camp, we stopped to see a herd of 
mules that had just been turned loose, and 



JOURNAL. 103 

who were capering and cutting around at a 
break-neck rate. Occasionally one would stop 
and let fly a pair of heels, making all crack 
again. I could not see as there was any dam- 
age done, however. Oftentimes two or three, 
while upon the full run, would go down upon 
the ground, and coming up again, run as fast 
in another direction. Such thumps as they 
gave one another would kill any thing but a 
mule. At one, P. M., I reached camp, much 
pleased with my journey. 

Sunday, April 5th, I attended church in the 
city, in company with two or three hundred of 
the regiment. Monday, 6th, signed pay-roll, 
and the next day, the 7th, were paid off, 
receiving our pay up to the 1st of March. We 
had been in camp here a week, and were get- 
ting pretty well established. Our quarter- 
master, J. L. Clark, was left at Newport News 
to settle up affairs there, and then was to follow 
us with the major part of the luggage. At 
this time, April 7th, he had not reached us. 
Through some one's fault, we were on short 
allowance while at this place, and as we begun 
to live again, received marching orders. 

Wednesday, the 8th, broke camp, and started 
on our march at eight, A. M., accompanied by 



104 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

the rest of the brigade. It was a warm, 
pleasant morning. We passed through the 
city, and took the road in the direction of 
Winchester, and after a very severe march of 
twenty-two miles, we reached our encampment, 
which was situated two miles south of this 
village, at half-past seven in the evening. This 
was a hard day's march for the first brigade. 
The road over which we passed, ran in a south- 
easterly direction from Lexington, in a straight 
line. Underneath the surface of the ground 
are ledges, which abound in this part of the 
country, of slate and sandstone. These are 
easily worked, and are the material used in 
making roads. The stone is broken in small 
pieces, which in course of time become fine, 
making an excellent thoroughfare. The road 
throughout its whole length was made after 
this manner. Owing to the material used in 
making and repairing, (every little way having 
to walk over stones lately carried on,) it was 
very hard for the feet. I have not been able 
to learn that there was any necessity of our 
making this two days' march in one, except 
perhaps to gratify the caprice of Col. Griffin 
of the Ninth New Hampshire, who commanded 
the brigade in the absence of Gen. Naglee. 



JOURNAL. 105 

But a small portion of the brigade managed to 
reach camp the night of the 8th. Many of the 
men carried heavy knapsacks, and were obliged 
to fall out. After marching a few miles, I 
judged from the motion of things that they 
were intending to make the march in one day. 
I therefore fell out, took off my boots, and put 
on a pair of " whangs," so as to march as easy 
as possible. 

Just before taking my place in the ranks 
again, I came across my chum, who had 
dropped out to rest, his feet already blistered. 
As it would be easier to march in the rear of 
the regiment, thereby avoiding the dust, (it 
being a very dusty road withal,) and rest at 
his leisure, he had made up his mind to do so. 
Our things being together, I kept him company. 
After marching some sixteen miles this way, 
my companion, who was about used up, halted 
until the baggage wagons came up with us, 
and contrived to get his knapsack into one of 
them, and soon after found a place for mine. 
This made it easier for us. The wagons 
belonged to the brigade, and I was fortunate 
in getting my knapsack on one containing 
baggage of the Twelfth Regiment. My com- 
panion, after our arrival in the village, took 



106 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

his off and slung it on his back again. Finding 
the wagon containing mine was to accompany 
our regiment, I concluded to let it remain 
there. As soon as" the wagon started, I seized 
hold of it, and by that means contrived to keep 
up, the team some of the way going upon the 
trot. We finally reached camp. I was about 
five minutes getting my knapsack off the 
wagon, my blankets out of it, and in turning 
in. My chum turned in for the night under a 
fence, about quarter of a mile in the rear, being 
pretty much " played out." 

Kentucky is the finest country I have seen 
yet. It had the same appearance all the way 
from Lexington to Winchester. The soil to all 
appearance is excellent, and easily cultivated. 
The surface of the ground undulates in hill 
and dale, just enough to give relief and beauty 
to the scenery. No stones upon the surface to 
add to the labor of its cultivation. There are 
no underbrush growing in the woods here. 
This adds greatly to the beauty of this country, 
every forest having the appearance of the most 
beautiful groves, underneath which grass grows 
in abundance. This gives Kentucky the 
advantage over any State thus far, that I have 
seen ; and the first in rank, as a cattle produc- 



JOURNAL'. 107 

iiig country, as every forest affords excellent 
pasturage for the herds of cattle, mules, &c., 
which abound in this State. The fields are 
laid out large, are well fenced, and a large part 
under cultivation. The houses are scattering, 
being from half a mile to a mile apart, sug- 
gesting to a New Englander the idea of others 
between, in the event of the war coming to an 
end, together with the institution of slavery. 
God forbid that this fair land should longer be 
blighted by this curse. 

" Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, 
Let this be our motto : ' In God is our trust.' 
And the star spangled banner, in triumph shall wave, 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave." 



108 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Our brigade comprised the Second Maryland, 
the Ninth New Hampshire, the Seventh and 
Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, and the 
Forty-Eighth Pennsylvania regiments, and 
were under the command of Gen. Naglee. 
The Forty-Eighth Pennsylvania were assigned 
to Lexington, to do provost duty, and were left 
behind. By the way, while at Newport News 
we had an abundance of all things which it is 
possible for a soldier to expect. The schooner 
Elizabeth & Helen, of Providence, R. I., which 
arrived at that place February 16th, laden with 
vegetables, added to our health and comfort, 
and the condition of the regiment improved 
very materially. After leaving Newport News, 
and up to this time, April 14th, we had nothing 
but " marching rations," (hard crackers and 
salt pork,) excepting what was issued at Lex- 
ington April 6th, and what we had been able 
to buy. 

The commissary department of the First 
Brigade was now in working order, and ready 



JOURNAL. 109 

to issue rations, April 13tb, but our regimental 
commissary was tardy again, as at Lexington, 
and our officers slumbered. We bad plenty of 
" bard crackers," but tbese bad become a drug 
witli us, consequently we were tempted to buy 
wbat was brougbt into camp, for wbicb we paid 
exorbitant prices. Tbe Kentuckians bere were 
aware of our coming, and seemed determined 
to make tbe most of us. Some of our officers, 
wbose business it was to attend to tbese matters, 
did not consider tbat tbe soldier in tbe ranks 
migbt be obliged to study economy, and conse- 
quently desire tbe prompt issue of rations, and 
some little degree of care and ingenuity in tbeir 
preparation ; tbereby saving tbem tbe expense 
of paying out bere and tbere so mucb for tbese 
luxuries. Tbey did not seem to consider tbe 
responsibility resting upon tbem. Perbaps tbey 
did not care. Tbe tbing was just bere. In 
eacb company were from fifty to seventy-five 
men, wbose case was made better or worse, ac- 
cording as tbeir officers were watcbful or slum- 
bering. If tbey bad been awake, rations would 
bave been drawn witb promptness, and properly 
cooked ; and tbe consequence would bave been 
tbat baving enougb to eat from tbeir own 
kitcben, tbe men would bave bougbt tbe less 

10 



110 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

outside ; thereby saving in the aggregate, a 
large sum which in many instances was needed 
at home. 

Chickens, weighing two and three pounds, 
were sold here a year ago for one dollar per 
dozen. This year they sell for two dollars per 
dozen. Poultry brought into camp in small 
quantities, solfi readily at prices varying from 
twenty-five cents to one dollar and fifty cents 
apiece. This included the chicken of two pound 
and the turkey of eighteen pounds. Small 
quantities of eggs were brought into camp, and 
sold at prices varying from fifteen to forty cents 
per dozen. They were in demand and com- 
manded any price. Pies were brought on in 
great abundance ; they were made of peaches 
and apples, and sold for twenty-five cents apiece. 
Some, having a little mercy on the soldier, sold 
for ten and fifteen cents. Peaches are very 
plenty in this part of Kentucky, and are pre- 
served and dried in large quantities. 

The morning of April 15th finding nothing 
to eat but hard crackers and pork, and no 
coffee cooking, I determined to act as commis- 
sary for one day at least. I called on A. W., 
of Company H, and together, at seven, A. M., 
we left camp, and started off across the fields. 



JOURNAL. Ill 

We passed the houses nearest camp, and 
after gomg about a mile, stopped at a log 
shanty. This was occupied by a negro family, 
who were owned by the occupant of a house 
adjoining. The owner was absent, and the 
negroes had no authority to sell any thing. 
We were hoping to have found something to 
eat here, but having nothing on hand cooked, 
we concluded to go farther. However, we 
prevailed on them to cook us some cakes, which 
we were to call for on our return. Half 
a mile further on, we came to a large house. 
The only person we could find here was a negro 
woman. She could sell us nothing. The 
next place we called at was owned by one 
Dr. Evans. Here we found the family at 
home and busy, preparing to go to camp, with 
a load of pies, cakes, chicken pies, &c. We 
intended to have got a breakfast at this place, 
but the family being very much engaged in their 
speculation, we continued on. 

Espying a house to the right, off some half a 
mile from this place, we made for it. We were 
greeted upon our arrival by about half a dozen 
negro children, who looked upon us with as 
much curiosity as boys would at home upon 
the " horned owl " on exhibition. We asked 



112 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

for the woman of the house. She happened to 
be out of doors at the time, and was pointed 
out to us. We introduced ourselves, and asked 
her if she could get us a breakfast. She 
answered in the affirmative, and asked us into 
the house. This was a large log-house, and 
was the one occupied by the owner of the prem- 
ises. The negroes occupied two or three smaller 
ones in the same yard, and some five rods 
distant from the main building. 

This is the way the buildings are arranged 
by the country farmers in this part of the State. 
The negroes all occupy log-houses. Some of 
the owners have nothing better, and inhabit the 
same ; but most of them have frame houses, 
and many of these are large and elegant. The 
negro women have charge of all the children, 
both white and black, and the cooking for all 
is done in the out-houses. We were well 
entertained at this place. The woman of the 
house was apparently about seventy-five years 
of age, and was very intelligent and sociable. 
Her husband owns a large farm, and some four- 
teen or fifteen negroes. They raise hemp, keep 
sheep, spin and weave, as our folks did at home 
fifty years ago. They have suffered from the 
raids of the enemy, principally in the loss of 



JOURNAL. 113 

horses, not having enough left to cultivate their 
farms. This is indeed a serious loss to them. 

After the lapse of half an hour, our breakfast 
was brought to us. We had hot biscuit, fried 
bacon, johnny-cake, butter and milk. We 
bought five pounds of butter at this place for 
twenty-five cents a pound, and four dozen of 
eggs, for which we paid twenty-five cents per 
dozen. We went beyond here one mile, and 
procured three dozen eggs more. From here 
we started on our return to camp. Stopped at 
a house, and finding the owner absent on an ' 
expedition to camp, I prevailed on the negroes 
to bake us some cake. Here we stopped three- 
quarters of an hour, during which time the 
women cooked enough to fill my haversack, for 
which they charged me twenty-five cents. 
Leaving here, we called at the place we first 
stopped at in the morning, and found our bread 
awaiting us — one large johnny-cake, and one 
loaf of white bread. This finished our load, 
and at one, P. M., we arrived in camp, prepared 
to live again. 

We had a most beautiful camp at this place. 
It was situated in a grove, at a spot where we 
had every convenience necessary in the shape of 
wood and water, with plenty of grass to roll 
10 * 



114 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

and tumble upon. The trees in this grove 
were perhaps forty feet apart from one another 
on an average. These consisted of maple, 
cherry, black walnut, and the common shell- 
bark, and many of them were of large size. 
The ground underneath was swept clean, and 
all brush, chips, &c., removed. 

We had " brigade guard mounting " here at 
nine, A. M. The band would strike up at pre- 
cisely nine o'clock, and as we watched the move- 
ments of the guard as they approached simul- 
taneously from their different regiments to take 
the place assigned them, we were struck with the 
beauty of the scene. The guard approaching, 
take their places, and the music ceases. The 
" camp guard" upon the right of the line, with 
nothing but gun and equipments ; the " picket " 
upon the left, with canteen, haversack and 
blanket, in addition. The line being formed, 
the sergeant-major, who arranges it, makes a 
" present " to the officer commanding, and 
immediately takes his place upon the left. 
After he gets his position, the order is given 
" front." Upon this, the commissioned officers 
march twelve paces in front of the line, the 
sergeants eight, and the corporals four. The 
■officer in command advances and gives special 



JOURNAL. 115 

instructions to all the officers in person. He 
then returns to his position, and gives the order, 
" officers and non-commissioned officers, about 
face," ''inspect your guards." The officers 
return ; the corporals take their places in line ; 
the lieutenants inspect the front rank, the ser- 
geants the rear. The band play during inspec- 
tion. Inspection over, the music ceases, and 
the officers take their places in line again. 
Then comes the order, " music, beat off." The 
band commences playing a " slow march," and, 
coming to the front, proceed the length of 
the line. After going through the manoeuvres, 
which bring them to an " about face," they 
return playing a quickstep, and take their for- 
mer position. Then the order, " by platoons ! 
right wheel ! march ! " Immediately upon the 
completion of the half wheel, which brings 
them from line of battle into column, the order 
is given, " pass in review ! column forward ! 
guide right ! march !" The band strike up, the 
first platoon make a left half wheel, and march 
forward, preceded by the band. The other 
platoons coming up, wheel upon the same spot 
of the first. After marching forward a certain 
distance, another left half wheel is made. 
Marching straight forward from this, they pass 



116 MY FIEST CAMPAIGN. 

the " officer of the day," who takes the position 
directly in front of the centre of the line, as it 
was before moving vacated by the officer in 
command of the guard, who places himself 
upon the right of the first platoon, and directs 
the movement of the column. As each platoon 
passes in front of the " officer of the day," the 
officers in charge of their respective platoons 
come to a " present," saluting, and pass on, — 
the " camp guard " to the relief of the " old 
guard," the " picket " to the place assigned 
them — the band cease playing, and the review 
ends. The brigade guard mounting, of which 
I have endeavored to give a description, is a 
beautiful and imposing spectacle. 

Although the soldier endures many hard- 
ships and privations, still there are many 
pleasant scenes and associations connected with 
a soldier's life ; and I think that should the war 
continue, many of the men, looking back upon 
the pleasant side of their campaign, will have 
a yearning for the scenes and associations in 
connection with it, and again enter the ranks. 

God grant they may ! and with willing hearts 
and hands, and with the assurance of the 
righteousness of the cause for which they con- 
tend, may they consecrate themselves anew to 
the cause of Freedom. 



JOURNAL. 117 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Thursday, 16th. At five, P. M., we received 
marching orders, with instructions to " pack 
knapsacks," and be ready to march immedi- 
ately. At six, P. M., we struck tents, and in 
half an hour were marching, in company with 
the rest of the brigade, in the direction of 
Boonesboro' ; and, after a short march of five 
miles, encamped for the night on the heights 
which form the banks of the Kentucky River, 
at nine o'clock in the evening. 

Friday, 17th. We did not move from our 
camp until ten, A. M., owing to the delay neces- 
sary in crossing the river. The cavalry accom- 
panying us commenced crossing early in the 
morning, and at ten, the Twelfth were ordered 
to fall in. After a march of a mile, we came 
upon the edge of the river, at the place of cross- 
ing, in time to see the last of the cavalry pass 
over. The river at this place was, perhaps, 
fifty rods in width, and the convenience for 
crossing were two scows, in each of which 
forty men could be taken over at once^ and 



118 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

SO shaped that our teams could drive on or off 
at either end. The river was not deep at this 
place, and the mode of propelling was by push- 
ing with poles. 

Some very amusing incidents occurred in 
connection with our passing over the Kentucky 
River. Some of the teams, consisting of a 
government wagon and four mules each, were 
in readiness, and crossed at the same time 
with our regiment. This was accomplished by 
ending the scow on sliore, and driving the 
team on and into the forward part of the boat. 
The remaining space was filled with soldiers. 
The scow was pushed across, and, landing end 
on, the team was driven off. The manner of 
driving a mule team is this : The driver sits 
upon the near wheel mule, uses one rein, and 
by dint of some little hallooing, — understood 
only by those versed in muleology, — manages 
his team. The scows were barely wide enough 
to admit the wheels of the carriages, and it 
required no little degree of skill to drive on 
and off without accident. While driving one 
of the teams off, the near wheel mule, being 
crowded, jumped off the scow, throwing his 
rider head and ears under water. The man, 
upon gaining the surface, was soon ashore ; and 



JO URN AL. 119 

the mule, after floundering awhile, got a foot- 
hold on shore, and the wagon was drawn off. 
No harm done as we could see to either the 
mule or his driver. 

The next team that crossed, the rider, 
hoping to profit by the misfortunes of the one 
in advance, dismounted and attempted to lead 
his team off. This time, crowding again, over 
goes one of the mules into the stream, back 
downwards, hanging in the harness, its head 
just out of water. This looked like a despe- 
rate case of broken legs, and death by drowning. 
After some little effort, however, the mule was 
loosed from the harness, the carriage was drawn 
off by the remaining three, and the unlucky 
one, througli the combined efforts of half a 
dozen men, was finally drawn from the river, 
thoroughly drenched, otherwise, to all appear- 
ance, not damaged at all. 

Ours was the third company across, and 
passing up the bank, we continued on half a 
mile, and rested there until the rest of the 
regiment joined us. 

The Kentucky River at this place is bounded 
upon either side by a range of hills, near akin 
to mountains. As we approached the river 
previous to crossing, many novel and intercst- 



\_ 



120 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

ing scenes presented themselves to our view, 
reminding us of our journey across the AUe- 
ghanies, our first experience in such mountain- 
ous regions. From our camp, where we passed 
the night, upon the heights, the road to the 
ferry wound along the sides of the hills, and 
through ravines. In this way the river was 
gained by gradual and easy descent. As we 
left camp, the beautiful fields, the green hills, 
and grassy vales, disappeared ; giving place to 
rough, precipitous hills, whose rocky sides 
presented quite a contrast to the gcenes we left 
behind. As we neared the river, directly in 
front of us, and to the left upon the opposite 
side, was a ledge of limestone, rising from the 
surface of the water which washes its base, to 
a height of three hundred feet, in a nearly 
perpendicular line, its surface, with the excep- 
tion of seams and crevasses, smooth and white 
as marble. This was an approximation to the 
grand and sublime, and to us, inexperienced 
in such scenes, a beautiful spectacle. The river 
rolling sluggishly along at this place, deeply 
imbedded in the hills, could not be seen by us 
until we were upon its very edge. At the 
place of crossing the road terminates ; and at 
the opposite side is the terminus of the road, 



JOURNAL. 121 

which approaches from the opposite direction. 
As we came upon the river, upon the same 
side are two or three houses, witli barely arable 
land enough adjoining to make a garden spot 
for the occupants. Upon the other side, we 
found more buildings, and in the immediate 
vicinity of the ferry considerable land under 
cultivation. 

While here, I learned we were in the imme- 
diate vicinity of where Daniel Boone lived. 
And it was here the first settlement of Ken- 
tucky by the whites commenced. I saw the 
spot where he built his fort, and where he 
managed to resist the attacks of the Indians, 
who had determined to eject him from his 
hermitage. I also filled my canteen from 
Boone's Spring, so called in honor of the old 
hero. And as I took a draught from its clear 
waters, I thought how often he had visited the 
spot for a similar purpose, and wondered at the 
courage and perseverance of the man, who 
could exist in this lonely place, surrounded by 
hostile Indians ; dependent alone upon his own 
resources, even for his own existence, with no 
other earthly reliance than his own strong 

arm, and felt I could do homage to the 

11 



122 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

undaunted bravery and perseverance of the 
Kentucky pioneer. 

We stopped one hour for the rest of the 
regiment to join us, and then began the slow 
and toilsome work of ascending the hills. It 
was a very warm day, and though resting often, 
the march was a tedious one. Before reaching 
the top, we halted for the rest of the brigade 
to come up. This was about two, P. M. 
Starting again, we soon reached the summit of 
the hills, and emerged once more into a country 
beautiful as the one we had left behind us. 
At the junction of the river road with the 
Lexington and Richmond pike, we rested two 
hours. At this place. Gen. Naglee and staff 
passed in advance of us, and selected our camp 
ground for the night. The spot selected was 
about three miles from this place, and four 
from Richmond. We reached it at seven, 
P. M. At six, P. M., while on our way, 
the Fourteenth Kentucky Cavalry passed us, 
begrimmed with dust, and looking like war- 
worn veterans, as they really are. Their 
experience has been with the guerrillas that 
invest this State, and whom they fight with a 
vengeance. They had a look of determination, 



JOURNAL. 123 

and I have no doubt rebels falling into their 
hands, find themselves in a tight place. 

Saturday, the 18th, at seven in the morning, 
we started again, passing through Richmond 
at ten, A. M., and at eleven were resting on 
our camping ground, two miles beyond. Upon 
this ground, and in the vicinity, the battle of 
Richmond was fought, August 30, 1862, in 
which the Federals were defeated, losing 150 
killed and 350 wounded. Gen. Munson was 
taken prisoner, and Gen. Nelson was severely 
wounded in this engagement. The trees about 
here bore marks of the struggle which ensued. 
Many of the branches were torn off, and in 
the trunk of one large cherry tree, I counted 
seven ball holes. It was a desperate struggle 
against odds, the enemy outnumbering us four 
to one. One of the boys, while we were here, 
brought a shell in, which he picked up in the 
vicinity of our camp. It was quite a curiosity, 
suggestive of the time when it was sent on its 
murderous errand, eight months before. We 
were pleasantly situated here, and enjoyed 
ourselves. ^ 

Just after our arrival here, two sutlers 
commenced visiting us, and in the absence of 
competition, charged exorbitant prices. One 



124 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

day seeing a large crowd around one of the 
teams, I went up. Found the owner busy 
selling oranges at ten cents a piece, and cider 
at ten cents a glass. Apples in the same pro- 
portion. And while delivering from the front 
of the wagon, the soldiers, unbeknown to him, 
at the same time had tapped a barrel in the 
rear, and were doing a brisk business, filling 
canteens, &c. Soon after I heard an uproar, 
and was just in time to see his wagon tipped 
over, and his groceries distributed. Knowing 
the other sutler was in camp with gingerbread, 
the price of which was twenty-five cents for 
three pieces, about the size of my hand, I felt 
anxious to learn his fate. I had not long to 
wait, as I soon saw one side of a wagon rise in 
the air, the owner jump from it, and ginger- 
bread flying in all directions. This had a 
tendency to lower the prices, and since then 
no outrages of the kind have been perpetrated, 
as it has not been necessary to repeat the 
experiment. 



JOURNAL. 125 



CHAPTER IX. 

How often at home, when with the toil and 
care incident upon the life of those who " earn 
their bread by the sweat of the brow," have we 
as Saturday night approached, and with it the 
labors of the week were to cease, looked for- 
ward to a day of rest. A thousand miles from 
home, the plough exchanged for the sword, the 
awl for the bayonet, in the face of a desperate 
enemy, and the thing is changed. 

The Sabbath comes as at home, but unfor- 
tunately, is more " honored in the breach than 
the observance," and seems to be a day spe- 
cially appointed by military authorities, for 
fighting and marching. We received marching 
orders Saturday, 2d, and were to be in readi- 
ness to march the following morning. As it 
usual with us the night before a march, all was 
bustle and confusion. Some were busy packing 
their effects, others talking, each man having 
to express his opinion as to where we were to 
go, the chances for a fight, <fec. Another por- 
tion, who at other times deny themselves, were 
11* 



126 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

indulging in liquor, the result of which was a 
general howling, extending into the small 
hours of the night. 

The night before our march from Lexing- 
ton, a portion of the men went to the city, 
had a plenty to drink, and some of them 
returned with canteens filled. The conse- 
quence was, a riotous night, and but little sleep 
was to be had. The men quarrelled among 
themselves, and to cap the climax, at two in 
the morning, one of the men from the company 
adjoining, visited Company F, and indulged in 
a little shillalah practice. Swinging to the 
right and left, much to the discomfiture of one 
of our men, who received a blow on the top of 
his head, which, judging from the sound, might 
have felled an ox. He was rendered hors de 
combat^ and taken to the surgeon ; and after 
this salutary lesson, the boys thinking best to 
keep still, we got a few hours sleep. The noisy 
ones of Company F were christened " lions." 
The name originated in Camp Casey, where 
they occupied two of our Sibley tents, on the 
left of the line, and by their continual howling, 
made " night hideous." 

Saturday, May 2d, at nightfall, the uproar 
commenced as usual. At ten I turned in. I 



JOURNAL. 127 

kept napping, waking, and sleeping by turns, 
until two in the morning. At this time, a 
party in front of my tent were having an alter- 
cation which threatened to terminate in a fight. 
I thought best to see what was going on. 
Looking out of my hotel, I saw J. R., the same 
individual who officiated at Lexington, with 
club raised, threatening to lay it about the ears 
of his opponent, who was daring him to come 
on. Friends interfered, preventing them from 
coming to blows, and after a bad amount of 
cursing and hard talk, during which the whole 
regiment were disturbed, they were separated, 
and quiet reigned again. The immediate 
results of this night's carousal, were visible to 
all in the person of one of our drummers, who 
had indulged beyond his strength, and was 
found lifeless in his tent, the morning of the 
3d, having " shuffled off this mortal coil " in 
the melee. 

The morning of the 3d of May found us 
busy, preparing for the march, regardless of 
the storm, which was evidently about to open 
upon us. At eight we were on our way. It 
commenced raining slightly before we left 
camp, and after our first rest outside of Rich- 
mond at ten, A. M., it commenced in earnest. 



128 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

We hurried on, and at one, P. M., were 
encamped at Point Lick Creek, having marched 
a distance of thirteen miles in four hours. 
Some of the time while on this march, the rain 
poured in torrents, and we reached camp 
thoroughly soaked. Soon after our arrival the 
sun came out, the clouds passed away, and we 
had a pleasant afternoon. This gave us a 
chance to roll and tumble upon the grass, dry 
ourselves, and put up tents at our leisure. 
Our camp was situated on the road which runs 
from Richmond to Lancaster, and was about 
midway between the two places. It was 
evident our stay here would be short, as the 
usual care in laying out camps was not 
observed here, our tents being pitched in all 
conceivable ways. Our general formed his 
head-quarters some twenty rods east of our 
camp, close by a church. This edifice had 
been built but a short time, was small, of 
modern style, without a steeple, and very much 
resembled a New England school-house. 

From the time of our arrival here, up to 
Saturday the 9th, the weather was very dis- 
agreeable. Considerable rain fell, and for six 
days we were enveloped in clouds and fog. 
But in spite of all this, our general and his 



JOURNAL. 129 

staff had frequent visits from the fair ones of 
Richmond, whose acquaintance they formed 
during our short sojourn there. They came 
in groups of half a dozen at a time. The 
band was called on to serenade the fair visitors, 
who forming with our officers upon the green 
in front of the church, joined in the mazy 
dance, and " tripped the light fantastic toe.'' 



130 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 



CHAPTER X. 

Sunday, the 10th, at three o'clock in the 
morning, we again received orders to march. 
At eight, A. M., the brigade was moving in 
the direction of Lancaster. Our company this 
time were detailed as rear guard, and having 
to wait until all the teams were under way, 
did not start until ten, A. M. The day was 
very warm, but having the advantage, as 
guard, of stopping often, we made an easy 
march of it. At two, P. M., we arrived in 
sight of our camp ; the brigade encamping 
upon a hill, within one-half mile of the village 
of Lancaster — a situation commanding a view 
of the country for many miles around. 

A source of amusement heretofore denied 
us, we had the privilege of indulging in here. 
A small pond in the same enclosure with our 
camp, abounded in fish, some of which, when 
full grown, reach the enormous weight of one- 
fourth of a pound. Hooks and lines were in 
demand, and piscatorial pursuits were the 
order of the day. 



JOURNAL. 131 

The Twelfth Regiment in lohite gloves, 
through the generosity of our Sutler ! — Three 
cheers for H, S. Patterson! — On the afternoon 
of May 18th, each man was called in front of his 
orderly's tent, and received a pair, and at 
dress parade the Twelfth were encased in 
white gloves. Some suggested the old saying 
that *' puss in gloves catches no mice." From 
our improved appearance others prophesied 
the speedy downfall of the rebellion. Much 
querying occurred in the regiment, about this 
time, as to when our term of service would 
expire. One of our men claiming his time 
as up, it being nine months since his enlist- 
ment, hoping to find out when the regiment 
were to start for home, went to the colonel 
and thus accosted him : 

" Well, Colonel, I suppose my time is out." 

Says the colonel, " What are you going to 
do about it ; are you going home now, or are 
you going to wait for the rest of the boys ? " 

Says the fellow, somewhat abashed, " I think 
I will go home with the rest of the boys." 

" Well," says the " old colonel," " I guess 
you had better ; we are all going home pretty 
soon." 



132 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

The fellow retired, much chop-fallen at the 
result of his interview. 

May 20, at dress parade, was read to us the 
farewell address of General Naglee, who had 
resigned his command and was about to return 
home. He was suffering from an affection of 
the heart, and found himself unable to con- 
tinue longer in the field. He was to leave us 
the 21st, and extended an invitation to all of 
us to call on him. The evening of the 20th, 
at sunset, the band formed in front of his 
quarters, commenced playing, and in a short 
time a good portion of the brigade assembled, 
to hear the parting words of the general. We 
found him sitting in front of his tent, rising , 
occasionally to salute the officers as they came 
in groups from the different regiments. 

The band played a few pieces, when the 
general, stepping in front, addressed them a 
few parting words, then, taking them each by 
the hand, he bade them adieu. Then turning 
to the soldiers, he made them a short speech, 
bidding them farewell, saying he would be 
glad to shake hands with all who chose to come 
forward. The band played " Home, Sweet 
Home," at the conclusion of which we all 
retired to our quarters. 



JOURNAL. 133 

Colonel Griffin, of the Sixth New Hampshire, 
succeeded General Naglee in the command of 
the brigade at this time. 

May 21st, the enemy were accumulating on 
the Cumberland, and occupied the south bank 
of the river, where their movements were 
closely watched by our forces. Some few days 
before, they had contrived to throw a force 
across. This brought on a fight, in which they 
were repulsed and driven back. We were 
under marching orders at the time, and held 
ourselves in readiness to march at short notice 
in the event it should have been found neces- 
sary to have sent reinforcements. 

May 22d, at nine in the evening, we received 
orders to march. At seven the next morning, 
the first brigade were on the march, accom- 
panied by the second, who followed close in 
the rear. Taking the Somerset road, we were 
soon fairly established in all the privileges and 
comforts of a march on a hot, dry, dusty day. 
At eleven, A. M., we stopped for dinner, 
having marched nine miles. We started again 
at half-past two, P. M., and at four, P. M., 
encamped near Crab Orchard, twelve miles 
from our late camp, near Lancaster. 

12 



134 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 



CHAPTER XI. 

Upon our marching from Lancaster, one of 
my acquaintances, whom I thought from his 
intercourse with the officers might know our 
destination, informed me that we were to march 
but three or four miles, and were to encamp in 
an oak grove. The spot had been selected the 
day before by our general, and was indeed a 
beautiful place, abounding in excellent springs 
of water, and in the immediate vicinity of a 
river, an admirable place for bathing, &c. It 
was a very warm day, and as the roads were 
dry and dusty it made our march unusually 
severe, and instead of the oak grove, but four 
miles distant, with all its beautiful surround- 
ings, we made a march of twelve miles, and 
found ourselves at last located in a thicket of 
briers, one and a half miles north of the vil- 
lage of Crab Orchard, a spot devoid of every 
thing green, if we except blackberry bushes 
and pennyroyal, and abounding in all manner 
of creeping things. The evening of the 25th, 
information having been received that the 



JOURNAL. 135 

enemy were in the neighborhood of Somerset, 
and might make a raid in our direction, we 
were ordered to be on the alert. Company I 
was detailed for extra picket duty, and all 
precaution taken against an attack. The after- 
noon of the 26th, at six o'clock, the Twelfth 
struck tents, and moved forward one-half mile 
beyond the village of Crab Orchard, to the 
support of the Second New York Battery, 
which had taken position the night before in a 
field commanding the Mount Vernon and Som- 
erset roads, which meet at this place. Here 
we encamped again for a short period. 

June the 1st we received orders to put our- 
selves in light marching condition, and hold 
ourselves in readiness to march at short notice. 
Accordingly, the morning of June 2d, all boxes 
and barrels available were scraped up, and 
overcoats, and all other superfluous luggage, 
was packed and sent to the rear. Many of the 
boys had flattered themselves that our fighting 
days were over, but since this last order, begin 
to think that the " end is not yet." 

The evening of June the 3d, at " dress 
parade," our colonel made a speech, wherein 
he congratulated the Twelfth, telling them that 
in all probability they would again soon have a 



136 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

chance to meet the enemy on a fair field. He 
hoped to have the privilege of leading them 
again, and had no doubt they vs^ould acquit 
themselves with credit, and return home an 
honor to the State they represent. In a short 
speech of ten minutes we were all impressed 
with the certainty of a conflict near, and in 
our imagination could almost hear the din of 
battle and see the " bloody 12th," eager for 
the fray, rush into the thickest of the fight, 
driving all before them. Soon victory crowns 
our efforts, and descending from the heavens, 
the eagle, the emblem of our nationality, 
perches upon our banner ! Our history is to 
become immortal ! Laurel wreaths encircle 
our brows ! Roses shower down upon us, and 
in the whirling mists, an everlasting halo of 
glory encompasseth us. Humor said that our 
colonel was about to issue to every man in his 
regiment a tunic, something after the manner 
of a butcher's frock, and throwing aside every 
other article of clothing, we were to start at 
once, and annihilate the enemy in his strong- 
holds. The evening of June 4th we received 
orders to be in readiness to march the follow- 
ing morning, at half-past four, each man to be 
provided with sixty rounds of ammunition, and 



JOURNAL. 187 

eight days' rations. At five o'clock the next 
morning the regiment were in line, and in 
fifteen minutes we were passing through the 
village of Crab Orchard, taking the Lancaster 
road, accompanied by the rest of the brigade. 
At ten, A. M., when within one mile of Lan- 
caster, we turned aside, and halted until half- 
past two, P. M. Here it became generally 
known that we were to march to Nicholasville, 
as soon as possible, there to find transportation 
to some place as yet unknown to us. Various 
were the surmises as to where we were to go. 
We soon became convinced that the first bri- 
gade were to report at Vicksburg. Then the 
question arose, would the Twelfth accompany 
them, or be detached and dropped on tlie way. 
At half-past two, P. M., we were ordered into 
line again ; at three passed through Lancaster, 
and at seven arrived at " Camp Dick Robin- 
son," having marched twenty-one miles. Here 
we encamped for the night. The appearance 
of the sky betokened rain, consequently many 
of us took pains to pitch our tents. This, 
together with making coffee and eating supper, 
occupied our time until ten o'clock. About this 
time we turned in, to gain what little rest we 
could before " reveille," which was ordered to 

12* 



138 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

be beaten at four o'clock in the morning. At 
the appointed time, the roll of the drums an- 
nounced to us that our sleeping hours were up. 
We turned out in haste, having barely time to 
eat breakfast and pack up before we were 
called into line. 

At half-past four we were on our way again. 
At seven, A. M., entered Pleasant Yalley. Here 
the scenery became most wild and picturesque, 
and as we crossed Hickman's Bridge tlie gran- 
deur of the scenery impressed me beyond any 
thing I have ever witnessed. Mountains, hun- 
dreds of feet in height, towered above our 
heads, in all directions. The bridge is a fine 
structure ; it was built in 1836, is perhaps two 
hundred feet in length, and spans the Kentucky 
River, some sixty feet above its waters. After 
emerging from this defile, and when within one 
mile of Nicholasville, Colonel Griffin received 
a dispatch detaching us from the brigade, with 
orders for Colonel Browne to report in another 
direction. At this time we were in advance of 
the brigade. We immediately came to a halt, 
and as the brigade passed by, we gave each 
regiment three parting cheers, and commenced 
to retrace our steps. After going half a mile 
we filed to the right, nito a grove, Vhere we 



JOURNAL. 139 

« 

passed the night. At five o'clock in the morn- 
ing we were, drummed into line, and on the 
tenth day of June encamped in Somerset, 
having marched, in six consecutive days, over 
one hundred miles, under a broiling sun, with 
knapsacks heavily laden with rations and am- 
munition, finding ourselves at last twenty-eight 
miles from Crab Orchard, the place from 
whence we started June the 4th. Our en- 
campment was in a grove, quarter of a mile 
west of the village, on ground occupied by 
ZoUicoffer in 18G1 ; here he prepared to make 
a stand against the forces sent to repel him ; 
trenches were dug, and large, noble trees, cut 
at the time, lay thick upon the ground. His 
fate was decided at Mill Springs, January 20th, 
1862. 

Nothing of note occurred during our stay 
here, most of our time being taken up in fight- 
ing flies, which swarmed about our camp, and 
in trying to make ourselves as comfortable as 
we could under the circumstances. It was 
extremely warm during our sojourn here, and 
the flies seemed determined to annihilate us. 

June the 20th, at noon, received marching 
orders again, and at four, P.M., encamped on the 
heights which form the banks of the Cumber- 



140 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

land Riveran the immediate vicinity of Stigall's 
Ferry, seven miles from Somerset. Having a 
desire to bathe in the waters of this celebrated 
stream, I visited it for that purpose early the 
next morning, and returned to camp just in 
time to take my place in line on our return 
march. We reached Somerset at one, P. M., 
rested until three, when we took up our line of 
march for Jamestown, whither we had been 
ordered. We encamped for the night on 
" Logan's Old Fields," where the battle of 
Mill Springs was fought, January, 1862. This 
place is distant from kSomerset nine miles, 
which made our day's march sixteen miles. 
Here we found the 32d Kentucky, Lieutenant- 
Colonel Morrow, who had started from Somer- 
set in advance of us, and who were to be our 
companions to Jamestown, the two regiments 
to be under the command of Colonel G. H. 
Browne, the senoir officer. 

At five, A. M., the following morning, the 
32d took the lead, followed immediately by the 
12th. This day we reached Shady Creek, at 
eight, P. M., where we encamped, having made 
a march of sixteen miles over the roughest 
roads imaginable. At twelve, M., tlie next day, 
we passed through Jamestown, and encamped 



JOURNAL. 141 

in the immediate vicinity, having marched 
ten miles over a road where it required the 
activity and ingenuity of a red ferret to keep 
us on our feet. June the 24th our teams 
started for Lebanon, sixty miles distant, to 
procure rations, and it soon became evident 
we were not to remain idle here. Our scouts 
reported the enemy as attempting to cross the 
Cumberland, and our whole force was employed 
to hold them in check. Our brave colonel 
went to the village and ground up his sabre, 
preparatory to cutting and slashing. A large 
force was sent out three miles on the road 
towards Columbia, where a rude fort was con- 
structed and garrisoned, under the supervision 
of our colonel. Bodies of men were sent in 
other directions to fell trees, and otherwise 
obstruct the roads ; and all things were made 
ready to give the enemy a warm reception. 

June the 28th, Colonel Woolford's Cavalry 
and Colonel Kautz's Brigade joined us, since 
which time there has been constant skirmish- 
ing with Morgan's advance. Our regiment at 
this time saw hard service. Heavy pickets 
were kept out all the time ; our rations were 
giving out, and, to make it more disagreeable, 
it rained continually every day, some of the 



142 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

time pouring in torrents. Our teams, tliat 
were expected the 28th, were unfortunately 
delayed on their return by the presence of the 
enemy in Columbia. 

They had passed Green River Bridge, and 
were hurrying along, and had nearly reached 
Columbia, before they were aware of the 
danger ; upon learning which, they immedi- 
ately hurried back across Green River, when 
meeting a force of thirty men, sent from Leba- 
non to protect them, they concluded to make a 
stand here until morning. In the course of 
the night, the bridge was carried away by the 
freshet, caused by the heavy rains. There was 
no other alternative left them, but to reach 
camp by a circuitous route, crossing the river 
at a ford some twenty miles to the north. 
July 3d, when within ten miles of camp, they 
were attacked by sixty or seventy of Morgan's 
Cavalry. The guard showing themselves equal 
to the emergency, dashed among them with 
great fury, repulsing them, killing one, and 
taking seven of them prisoners ; the rest made 
good their escape. Shortly after, the teams 
reached Jamestown, much excited by their 
adventurous trip. Meanwhile we were expect- 
ing to be attacked, and were twice called into 



JOURNAL. 143 

line. The morning of July 4th quite a force 
of the enemy came close upon us ; the signal 
howitzers were fired, and the long roll was 
beaten. The regiment turned out, took posi- 
tion, and awaited their approach ; but the 
enemy avoided us. Sunday, the 5th, it becom- 
ing known that Morgan with his whole force 
had crossed the river, and slipped past us, we 
were ordered back to Somerset. At nine, 
A. M., the stores were put aboard the teams, 
and we took up our line of march. 

It was a very warm, sultry day, and the 
roads were in bad condition, owing to tlio 
late rains, making our march extremely diffi- 
cult. The poor boys were sore pressed, and 
tents and blankets flew in all directions. We 
reached Russell's Spring and made a halt 
there until four, P. M. We had twenty-five 
prisoners with us, the fruit of our excursion 
to Jamestown. At 'four, we started, when it 
commenced to rain and kept it up till dark ; 
much of the time it poured in torrents, and we 
made a march of eight miles, with only two 
halts, of five minutes' each, and at dark en- 
camped one mile from Shady Creek, soaked to 
the skin. * 

The next morning, July 6th, we waited until 



144 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

nine, A. M., for the team to come up with us, 
when we started again, marched eleven miles, 
and again halted for the night. July Tth, 
reached Somerset at seven, P. M. 

The next day, at five, P. M., marched again, 
en route for Hickman's Bridge, by way of 
Crab Orchard and Stanford. Marched six 
miles, and halted for the night. July 9th, 
marched twenty-two miles, reaching Crab 
Orchard at eight, P. M. • 

The next day passed through Stanford at 
ten, and halted for dinner one mile from the 
village at eleven, A. M. Here our colonel 
was told he could give his regiment a ride on 
the supply train, which was all ready to go to 
Hickman's Bridge. Our colonel accepted the 
offer, and in one-half hour we were aboard and 
on our way, much to the relief of the suffering, 
sore-footed members of the Rhode Island "Itin- 
erant " Regiment. The train made a halt at 
Dick River, and we dismounted and encamped. 
The next day, July the 11th, at one, P. M., 
we dismounted at Hickman's Bridge, marched 
up the hill, and at two, P. M., halted at Gen- 
eral Burnside's head-quarters, for orders. 
Her^ we remained until nine, A. M., July the 
12th, when we got orders to report in Cincin- 



JOURNAL. 145 

nati. We then marched to Nicholasville, went 
aboard the train at two, P. M., and at eleven 
at night arrived in Covington. 

On the 13th, at seven, A. M., we crossed 
the Ohio, and stacking arms in front of the 
Fifth Street Market House, waited there for 
breakfast. Here we learned that the omni- 
present Morgan was within a few miles of 
the city, and advancing. Martial law was 
to take effect in the city at ten, A. M. 
Companies were arming and organizing, and 
we were soon informed that nothing but the 
presence of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volun- 
teers would save the city from utter destruc- 
tion. Tliis pleasing bit of information was 
imparted to us after dinner, while laboring to 
get up Vine Street Hill, to a new camp wliere 
we were destined to remain for a few days 
longer. This was sorry news, and some of the 
boys were rather riotous over it, the thought 
naturally suggesting itself to them, whether 
the same necessity might not exist in Bung- 
town or in any other place. By the way, the 
term of service for which our regiment was 
mustered in, had already expired ; and the 
Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, weary and 



13 



146 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

worn out, had hoped tliat we were finally on 
our way home. 

It was indeed disheartening to many of us, 
who had expected that upon our arrival here 
nothing would occur to interrupt our journey. 
Little did we think that even here in Ohio the 
presence of John Morgan would render it 
necessary for us to rally again. About this 
time, also, the New York riot was raging, and 
some apprehension was felt by the authorities 
of a similar demonstration in Cincinnati. This 
was enough to detain us, and at the junction of 
the two roads on Mount Auburn, on the after- 
noon of the 13th day of July, the Twelfth Rhode 
Island Yolunteers established their camp, and 
on the same evening the " redoubtable John " 
illuminated it by burning a bridge within three 
miles of us. 

Sunday, the 19th, reinforcements having 
arrived, we were relieved, and at seven 
o'clock, A. M., of that day we left Cincinnati 
for Rhode Island ; where, on the 29th day of 
July, 1863, we were mustered from the service 
of the United States. The particulars of our 
journey, together with our reception in Provi- 
dence, I copy from the " Providence Evening 
Press " of July 22d, at the conclusion of which 



JOURNAL. 1 47 

is appended the Order wliicli General Burn- 
side, in appreciation of our services, upon 
our leaving his Department, issued to the 
regiment. 

Return of the Twelfth Regiment. 

This noble regiment returned home to-day from its 
arduous and protracted services at the seat ot war. 
The unusual amount of hardship and exposure to 
which it has been subjected, the important duties it 
has performed, and the heavy losses it has sustained 
in the defence of the country, made it highly appro- 
priate that it should be received with demonstrations 
expressive of the popular interest in all that concerns 
our brave soldiers. 

The record of this regiment will compare favorably 
with that of any nine months regiment which has been 
in the service during the war. In addition to long 
and frequent marches, they have spent seven months 
of their time at the front, in the face of danger, and 
where the duties imposed upon them have taxed their 
every energy to the utmost. 

The regiment left Cincinnati on Sunday morning, 
and proceeded by rail to Dunkirk on the Erie Rail- 
road, and thence to New York, where they arrived at 
eleven o'clock yesterday morning. They started about 
one o'clock for Providence on the steamer Commodore, 
arriving about four o'clock a short distance below 
Nayatt, where they anchored. They came up to the 



148 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

city shortly afterward, and landed about seven o'clock. 
A salute was fired by the Marine Artillery. 

The Fourth and Sixth Eegiments Rhode Island 
Militia were drawn up on Benefit Street to receive 
the returning veterans, and loudly cheered them as 
they passed through the opened lines. A crowd of 
expectant friends, who had assembled at the Point, 
immediately gathered around the gallant boys, and 
the short halt was improved in the interchange of the 
heartiest greetings. 

About eight o'clock the line of march was formed 
iu the following order : — 

American Brass Band. 

Drum Corps. 

Section of Marine Artillery. 

Sixth Regiment, R. I. M., Col. James H. Armington. 

Drum Corps. 

Fourth Regiment, R. I. M., Col. Nelson Viall. 

Drum Corps. 

Twelfth Regiment, R. I. V., Col. George H. Browne, 

Lieut. Col. James Shaw, Jr., Major Cyrus (t. Dyer, 

Adjutant Matthew N. Chappell. 

Co. B, Capt James M. Longstreet, Lieuts. Albert W. 

Delanah and Charles A. Winchester. 
Co. I, Capt. George A. Spink, Lieuts. Munson H. Najac 

and John H. Weaver. 
Co. F, Capt. William E. Hubbard, Lieuts. William H. 

King and Francisco Ballou. 

Co. K, Capt. Oscar Lapham, Lieuts. Edmund W. Fales 

and Charles H. Potter. 



JOURNAL. 149 

Co. E, (color company,) Capt. John J. Phillips, Lieuts. 

Luther Cole, Jr., and Edward V. Wescott. 
Co. D, Capt. JoTin P. Abbott, Lieuts. George H. Tabor 

and Henry M. Tillinghast. 
Co. H, Capt. Oliver H. Perry, Lieuts. Arnold F. Salisbury 

and J. N. Williams. 
Co. A, Capt. Christopher II. Alexander, Lieuts. Edward 

F. Bacon and Joseph C. Whiting, Jr. 
Co. G, Capt. William C. Rogers, Lieuts. James A. Bowen 

and Fenner H. Peckham, Jr. 
Co. C, Capt. James H. Allen, Lieuts. George Bucklin and 

Beriali G. Browning. 
Quartermaster, John L. Clarke; Surgeon, Benoni Car- 
penter ; Assist. Surgeon, Samuel M. Fletcher; Chaplain, 
S. W. Field. 

Rear guard of twenty men detailed from all the com- 
panies. 

The procession marched over the usual route to 
Exchange Place, where the men stacked arms, and 
universal hand-shakins^s and con2;ratulationf= Avere the 
order of the day. 

The streets were lined with people. Flags were 
hun2: out all alons:: the line of march ; handkerchiefs 
were waving everywhere, and bouquets and wreaths 
were scattered with a liberal hand. The regiments 
doing escort duty turned out with very full ranks, and 
made a most effective demonstration. A fine colla- 
tion, served by L. H. Humphreys, was provided for 
the troops in Howard Hall. There were eight tables 
running the entire length of the room, neatly spread 



150 MY FIEST CAMPAIGN. 

with most acceptable fare, and presenting a most 
cheerful and inviting appearance. The officers of the 
regiments were entertained upon the platform. About 
two thousand plates were laid, and all three of the 
regiments were amply provided for. 

The Rev. Dr. Swain, Chaplain of the Sixth Regi- 
ment, invoked a blessing upon the repast, after which 
His Excellency Governor Smith came forward, and 
in a very happy manner welcomed the regiment back 
to the State and thanked them for the services they 
had rendered in the field. 

Colonel Browne responded substantially as follows : 

" In my own behalf, and that of the officers and 
soldiers under my command, I thank you for the kind 
manner in which you have been pleased to speak of 
us. Next to the approbation of our own consciences 
we prize most highly the approbation of those we 
love. That approbation of conscience we enjoy. To 
the utmost of our ability since we left this State, we 
have endeavored to uphold her honor, and to labor 
for the suppression of the rebellion. We prize this 
reception as an evidence of your approval. 

" Your words of praise show that our services have 
not been unmarked. Still it may be well for me to 
advert briefly to some facts in our history as a regi- 
ment. We have travelled over 3,500 miles, five hun- 
dred of which has been on foot, literally carrying the 
houses we lived in, the provisions upon which we 
were to subsist for six and even eight days, and the 



jrOURNAL. 151 

arms with which we were to defend ourselves and 
oppose the enemy. 

" On the field of Fredericksburg one hundred and 
nine of mj brave men were lost to my command. 
Afterwards, when pestilence stalked through the camp, 
and amid hardship and privation, one hundred and 
twenty more were swept away in three short weeks ; 
not all indeed to the silent grave, since a few still 
linger in hospitals. 

" But through the constant efforts of my officers to 
preserve cleanliness and discipline in the camp, we 
are happy in bringing back to our friends to-day over 
seven hundred of those who marched with me from 
Washington to the banks of the Rappahannock. 

" Our duties have been of the most varied kind. 
But through them all the uniform kindness of the 
State has at all times watched over us. While we 
were in camp where pestilence assailed us and want 
made us suffer, your good ship Elizabeth and Helen 
brought us much needed supplies ; and if your bounty 
burdened our backs, it certainly lightened our hearts 
and cheered us on the weary march. 

" Let me in conclusion congratulate you, the officers 
who surround you, and all our citizens, that we arrive 
at home at a time when every thing is so cheering 
and prosperous. Gentlemen, nine short months more, 
and you will see this country a re-united country — a 
mighty nation, whose arms will be more a shield for 
every citizen than was ever Rome in her proudest 
days." 



152 MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. 

At the conclusion of the collation, the military were 
dismissed. The Twelfth Regiment were ordered to 
re-assemble in this city on Wednesday next, at ten 
o'clock, A. M. 



Head-Quarters, Department of the Ohio, 
Cincinnati, Ohio, July 17, 1863. 
General Orders, Xo. Ilr5. 

On the departure of the Twelfth Regiment Rhode 
Island Volunteers, at the expiration of their term of 
enlistment, the Commanding General wishes to express 
his regret at taking leave of soldiers who, in their 
brief service, have become veterans. After passing 
through experiences of great hardship and danger, 
they will return with the proud satisfaction that, in 
the ranks of their country's defenders, the reputation 
of their State has not suffered in their hands. 

By command of Maj. Gen. Burnside. 

LEWIS RICHMOND, 

Assist, Adjutant- General. 



THE END. 



mmmsmmm 

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




